SB 808 creates a "blue envelope program" to improve communication between law enforcement and individuals with invisible disabilities during traffic stops. It requires the state department to provide free blue envelopes containing vehicle registration/insurance copies, traffic stop safety tips, and spaces for emergency contacts or accommodation requests. Individuals with disabilities (covered under the ADA or needing accommodations), their families, or legal guardians can obtain an envelope by declaring their condition. The program mandates law enforcement training on using the envelopes and includes provisions for tracking envelope issuances. This bill directly affects people with disabilities, their representatives, and law enforcement officers interacting during traffic stops.
SB 845 repeals and amends specific sections of state law related to operating while intoxicated (OWI) and refusal to provide chemical tests, correcting provisions deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill removes penalties for refusal that were treated as separate offenses (e.g., repealing sections like 23.33 (4p) (a) 3. and 30.684 (1) (c)) and adjusts penalty structures for repeat OWI violations to align with the Court's ruling. It directly affects individuals charged with OWI or refusal, as well as law enforcement officers enforcing these laws, by ensuring refusal penalties are only applied alongside OWI violations rather than as standalone offenses. The changes clarify that refusal penalties now follow the same procedures as OWI violations, eliminating unconstitutional distinctions in the statutes.
AB 873 increases annual funding for crime victim services by $17,101,350 for both fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27, totaling $34.2 million over two years. It specifically allocates $4,025,800 to convert 17 existing full-time positions (FED) to permanent positions (GPR) within the Department of Justice. This funding directly supports state-run crime victim services programs that assist individuals impacted by crime. The bill makes no changes to eligibility or service scope - only increases the budget for existing programs.
AB 912 amends Wisconsin law to allow audiovisual recordings of children's statements as evidence in court for children aged 12 to 18 (previously 12-16). The bill requires recordings to begin before the child's statement is made and directs courts to consider factors like the child's age and the interests of justice when admitting such evidence. It specifically raises the upper age limit for admissibility from 16 to 18 years old. This change directly affects children involved in legal cases where their recorded statements might be used as evidence. The bill does not alter how recordings are made but adjusts the eligibility criteria and court considerations.
SB 804 prohibits government funding for investigations into pregnancy outcomes (such as miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion) when the person experiencing the outcome is the alleged crime suspect. It bans law enforcement from treating pregnancy outcomes as criminal matters and requires consent before investigating cases where a crime relates to another person's pregnancy. The bill also exempts women from civil or criminal liability for their own pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage or abortion, and clarifies that legal definitions of "corpse" do not apply to fetal tissue from non-live births. These provisions directly affect women experiencing pregnancy outcomes and law enforcement agencies handling such cases.
SB 866 expands Wisconsin's sex offender registration requirements by adding specific crimes to the list of offenses that trigger registration. It requires registration for violations of certain statutes involving minors (like 948.051 or 948.06) when the perpetrator is not the victim's parent. The law applies to crimes committed on or after the bill's effective date, directly affecting individuals convicted of these newly listed offenses.
SB 884 modifies Wisconsin law to allow audiovisual recordings of children's statements to be admitted as evidence in court for children aged 12 to 18 (previously 12 to 16). The bill requires courts to consider specific factors - such as the child's maturity and whether the recording was made appropriately - before admitting such evidence. It directly affects child witnesses in legal cases, particularly in matters like abuse or neglect where their statements might be recorded. The key change raises the upper age limit for this evidence rule from 16 to 18 years old. The bill does not alter the requirement that recordings must be made before the child's 18th birthday.
AB 895 modifies sentencing and parole procedures for individuals under 18 convicted of crimes. It requires courts to consider youth-specific mitigating factors and relevant information when determining eligibility for release to extended supervision or parole. The bill creates new provisions (e.g., § 302.114(5)(cs), § 304.06(1)(bc)) that apply specifically to "youthful offenders" as defined in § 973.014(3)(a). These changes directly affect minors in the state’s criminal justice system by mandating more individualized review of their cases during sentencing and parole decisions.
AB 833 creates a state grant program to fund nonprofit organizations providing support services to human trafficking victims. The bill appropriates $1.25 million biennially for grants to nonprofits that coordinate with law enforcement and provide at least 50% private matching funds. Grants are capped at $125,000 per biennium for organizations offering housing services, or $50,000 for other support services like advocacy, medical care, or job training. The Department of Justice will administer the program and establish rules for grant distribution, prioritizing organizations with established law enforcement partnerships or capacity to serve large numbers of victims.
AB 854 creates a grant program funded by taxes on vapor products to support violence prevention efforts. It directs $30,000 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $120,000 for 2026-27 toward local health departments or tribal health centers. These entities can use the funds to run violence prevention programs or award grants to community organizations, but they cannot distribute money to law enforcement agencies or any groups working with them. The bill specifies that applications for these grants must be submitted by June 30 each year.
