Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 738: Relating to: decertification of law enforcement, jail, or juvenile detention officers and tactical emergency medical services professionals and the use of force by law enforcement officers. (FE)

AB 738 requires the decertification (removal of professional certification) of law enforcement, jail, juvenile detention, and tactical emergency medical services officers within 30 days for specific actions, including resigning to avoid termination for cause or violating training rules. It also mandates that officers terminated while under investigation for misconduct cannot be recertified without a waiver from a police commission or local governing body. The bill directs the licensing board to develop and update biennially model "best practices" use-of-force policies, emphasizing de-escalation, limiting force against vulnerable populations (like those with disabilities or mental health conditions), and requiring officers to use the least force necessary. This applies directly to certified officers in law enforcement, jail, and juvenile detention roles across the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates decertification for misconduct and blocks recertification without waiver, enhancing police accountability in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Policing

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signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 19, 2026

AB 136: Relating to: classification of the crime of impersonating law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and certain other emergency personnel and providing a penalty.

AB 136 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to intentionally impersonate a peace officer, firefighter, emergency medical services practitioner, or emergency medical responder with the intent to mislead others into believing the person is actually an emergency personnel member. The bill directly affects individuals who falsely claim these roles to deceive others, such as by wearing uniforms or using official equipment. Key provisions define specific penalties for each type of impersonation, clarifying that the offense applies when someone acts with deceptive intent. This legislation updates Wisconsin law to explicitly classify these impersonations as criminal acts with standardized misdemeanor penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new misdemeanor offense for impersonating emergency personnel, aligning with 'expands criminalization' oppose indicator.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 293: Relating to: sunset of the community-oriented policing-house grant program.

AB 293 extends the expiration date of Wisconsin's community-oriented policing grant program from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2027. This bill directly affects local law enforcement agencies that receive these grants, ensuring continued eligibility for funding through 2027. The key provision amends Wisconsin Act 19 to update the sunset date in the relevant statute. The change delays the program's termination by two years without altering its structure or funding levels.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends community-oriented policing grants, maintaining funding for programs focused on police-community relationships and prevention - aligns with criminal justice reform indicators like trust-building and community engagement.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 332: Relating to: prohibition against undetectable firearms, possessing a frame or receiver of a firearm without a serial number, and providing a penalty.

SB 332 prohibits the possession, sale, or manufacture of undetectable firearms (those not detectable by standard metal detectors or security scanners) and unmarked firearm frames/receivers (the core components of a gun). It creates new felony penalties: Class G for possessing undetectable firearms, Class H for sharing manufacturing plans, and Class I for possessing unmarked frames/receivers. The law applies to the general public but includes exemptions for law enforcement officers, military personnel, and licensed manufacturers acting within their official duties. This directly affects individuals who own or attempt to build such firearms, aiming to enhance public safety through stricter firearm tracking and detection requirements.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new felony penalties for firearm-related offenses, expanding criminalization per indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Law Enforcement

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 329: Relating to: extreme risk protection temporary restraining orders and injunctions, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE)

SB 329 creates a $700,000 annual grant program to train law enforcement on filing extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), which temporarily restrict firearm access for individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others. The bill amends background check requirements to include searches for active ERPOs under Section 813.124, ensuring courts and law enforcement verify if applicants are subject to such orders before firearm purchases. It also clarifies court procedures for ERPO cases, including venue rules and extensions of temporary orders when judges are reassigned. This bill directly affects law enforcement agencies (through training grants), courts (via updated procedures), and individuals subject to ERPOs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $700,000 annually for ERPO law enforcement training, directly funding a state program under budgetary allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds ERPO training & background checks for firearm restrictions, advancing gun violence prevention reform within criminal justice system95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Courts Firearms Law Enforcement

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 634: Relating to: release of audio and video footage following officer-involved deaths or other critical incidents involving a law enforcement officer. (FE)

AB 634 requires law enforcement agencies to publicly release bodycam, vehicle camera, and relevant audio/video footage within 15 days of specific incidents, including officer-involved deaths, critical incidents (like great bodily harm or death in custody), or firearm discharges by officers. This applies to footage showing actions leading to the incident, though agencies may redact sensitive information like victim identities, medical details, or confidential investigative strategies under defined exemptions. Affected parties, such as identified officers, victims, or families, must be notified 48 hours before release to review the footage. The bill aims to increase transparency while balancing privacy and investigative needs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates public release of bodycam footage after officer incidents, enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement, a key criminal justice reform indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 679: Relating to: prohibiting a law enforcement agency from accessing personal data in exchange for payment without a warrant.

SB 679 prohibits law enforcement agencies from obtaining personal data from third parties (like tech companies or data brokers) in exchange for payment without a court warrant. It covers data such as location history, health records, financial details, browsing habits, and biometric information. Exceptions allow access if police have a warrant, face an emergency involving immediate danger, the data is publicly available, or the individual consented. This directly affects how police can legally acquire personal information from private entities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires warrants for law enforcement data access, protecting civil rights and enhancing police accountability per criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits warrantless law enforcement access to personal data from tech companies, strengthening data privacy protections as defined in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Tags Privacy

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 34: Relating to: court-issued criminal complaints in officer-involved deaths.

AB 34 prevents courts from allowing criminal complaints against law enforcement officers in officer-involved deaths when a district attorney has already determined there is no basis for prosecution. The bill requires that courts and judges cannot issue complaints unless "new or unused evidence" is presented, effectively barring judicial override of a district attorney's initial decision. This directly affects law enforcement officers involved in such deaths and the legal process for pursuing criminal charges against them. The law applies to cases defined under statute 175.47 (1) (c), limiting judicial action based on a district attorney's prior assessment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts judicial review of DA decisions in officer-involved deaths, weakening oversight of law enforcement by preventing court override without new evidence.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 609: Relating to: right to carry a weapon in this state, licenses to carry a concealed weapon, and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 609 modifies firearm regulations in the state by reducing the restricted distance near schools and hospitals from 1,700 to 1,200 feet for hunting. It removes restrictions on loading firearms in vehicles and discharging weapons within 50 feet of roadways for certain individuals. The bill clarifies that law enforcement officers, qualified out-of-state officers, and former officers are exempt from specific firearm restrictions while acting in their official duties. These changes primarily affect law enforcement personnel and their operational procedures, not general public carry rights. The bill does not create new carry permits or alter concealed weapon licensing requirements.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReduces firearm restrictions near schools/hospitals, removes vehicle loading limits, and expands weapon discharge allowances, weakening public safety regulations in criminal justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 576: Relating to: limiting the use of automatic registration plate readers, requiring a search warrant for data from an automatic registration plate reader or security camera, and providing a penalty.

AB 576 limits most uses of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), allowing them only for parking enforcement, secured private areas with restricted access, or weigh stations. It requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant before accessing ALPR or private security camera data, with exceptions only during emergencies involving immediate danger. The bill also restricts data retention to 90 days and imposes fines up to $10,000 for violations of these rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires warrants for ALPR data access, limits retention, and imposes fines - enhancing privacy protections and police accountability in law enforcement data use.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts ALPR surveillance with warrant requirements and data limits, enhancing data privacy protections under technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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