Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 441: Relating to: identity requirements for officers who arrest or detain individuals and providing a penalty.

AB 441 requires law enforcement officers to clearly identify themselves during arrests or detentions. Specifically, officers must state their name, display their badge number and agency insignia (with specified visibility standards), and state the legal authority for the action. The bill prohibits concealing identity except for medical masks, tactical gear, or during imminent danger. Violating these rules is a Class D felony, though courts cannot impose jail time. This directly affects officers employed by state or local law enforcement agencies during enforcement actions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires officers to identify themselves during arrests, enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement interactions, a key criminal justice reform indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

Track

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 278: Relating to: grants to law enforcement agencies for data-sharing platforms.

AB 278 creates a grant program for law enforcement agencies to purchase data-sharing platforms that integrate real-time data from multiple systems, eliminate duplicate records, and provide secure, customizable search and analytics tools. The bill specifies that platforms must meet 11 detailed requirements, including secure access controls, compatibility with existing systems, compliance with data security standards, and retention of agency data ownership. The Department of Justice will award grants using up to $2 million annually from state funds to support this initiative. This bill directly affects local and state law enforcement agencies seeking to upgrade their data-sharing capabilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state grant program funding law enforcement data platforms, directly increasing government spending on public safety technology per bill's grant allocation structure.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds law enforcement data-sharing platforms through grants, directly supporting operational efficiency in criminal justice systems per bill's grant program.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates data security standards and secure access controls for law enforcement data platforms, directly enhancing cybersecurity and data privacy protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Consumer Data Protection

Track

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 17: Relating to: special circumstances battery to a community service officer and providing a penalty.

SB 17 amends Wisconsin law to make intentionally causing physical injury or threatening injury to a community service officer (or their family) a Class H felony under specific conditions. It directly affects community service officers by expanding protections to include them alongside judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers. The key provisions require that the perpetrator knew the victim's status as an officer or family member and that the act was in response to the officer's official duties. This bill creates a clearer legal standard for prosecuting threats or violence against community service officers during their work. The measure is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands felony penalties for harming community service officers, strengthening law enforcement protections within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Aug 11, 2025

SB 278: Relating to: sunset of the community-oriented policing-house grant program.

SB 278 prevents the automatic expiration (sunset) of Wisconsin's Community-Oriented Policing-House Grant Program by changing its funding mechanism. The bill amends state law to establish the program as a "continuing appropriation" that receives biennial funding without requiring annual legislative action to renew it. This change directly affects local law enforcement agencies and community organizations that receive these grants to fund policing initiatives focused on community engagement. The policy shift ensures stable, ongoing funding for the program starting July 1, 2025, rather than requiring renewal each biennium. The bill was enacted as 2025 Wisconsin Act 27 and signed into law on August 11, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes continuing appropriation for community policing grants, ensuring stable biennial funding and preventing defunding of essential program.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents automatic expiration of community policing grants, ensuring ongoing funding for community engagement initiatives central to criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Law Enforcement

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 236: Relating to: the rights of sexual assault crime victims.

AB 236 ensures sexual assault victims who provide a forensic kit receive clear, timely updates about their case. It requires law enforcement to notify victims about kit testing timelines, DNA analysis results, and the kit's destruction date upon request. Victims also get updates if their case status changes (e.g., closed or reopened). The bill directly affects individuals who submit sexual assault kits, improving transparency in how their evidence is handled. It does not change criminal penalties or create new programs, but mandates specific communication protocols for law enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates law enforcement transparency for sexual assault victims regarding forensic kits, directly enhancing victim rights and system accountability within criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights Violent Crime

Track

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 84: Relating to: prostitution crime surcharge and making an appropriation. (FE)

Assembly Bill 84 establishes a new "prostitution crime surcharge" for individuals convicted of or placed on probation for certain prostitution-related offenses. If passed, courts would be required to impose a $5,000 surcharge in these cases. Funds collected from this surcharge would be divided equally: half would support treatment and services for sex-trafficking victims, and the other half would fund criminal investigative operations and law enforcement efforts against Internet crimes against children.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new $5,000 surcharge (tax) to fund victim services and law enforcement, directly allocating funds through fiscal mechanism.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds sex-trafficking victim services and law enforcement operations, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like victim support and targeted enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Fees & Licensing Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

Track

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 229: Relating to: the law enforcement officers’ bill of rights.

AB 229 repeals Section 164.05 of the statutes, which previously outlined specific protections for law enforcement officers under the "law enforcement officers’ bill of rights." This procedural bill directly affects law enforcement officers by removing an existing statutory provision governing their rights. The bill contains no new provisions or mechanisms - its sole action is the repeal of the referenced section. No additional policy changes or impacts are specified in the bill text.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill repeals statutory protections for law enforcement officers, weakening their rights under the law enforcement officers' bill of rights within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 57: Relating to: county sheriff assistance with certain federal immigration functions. (FE)

SB 57 reclassifies certain actions by county sheriffs who assist federal immigration authorities as a felony instead of a misdemeanor. It directly affects county sheriffs who provide support for federal immigration enforcement activities. The key provision changes the legal penalty for sheriffs participating in specific immigration-related functions, increasing the potential punishment. This bill modifies existing law to impose stricter criminal penalties for sheriffs engaging in these activities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill reclassifies sheriff assistance with federal immigration as felony (from misdemeanor), expanding criminalization and increasing penalties, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill reclassifies sheriff assistance with federal immigration enforcement as felony, limiting state cooperation that could harm immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Border Security Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 319: Relating to: extreme risk protection temporary restraining orders and injunctions, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 319 creates a new grant program to fund law enforcement training on extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), allocating $700,000 annually for this purpose. It expands background check requirements for firearm purchases to include checks for temporary restraining orders or injunctions under Section 813.124. The bill amends statutes to clarify how courts and law enforcement must verify firearm prohibitions, including checking for ERPO-related orders during background checks. These changes directly affect law enforcement agencies, courts, and individuals seeking to purchase firearms in Wisconsin.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $700,000 annually for ERPO law enforcement training, directly funding a public safety program through state appropriation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds ERPO training and expands background checks for firearm prohibitions related to extreme risk orders, advancing gun violence prevention in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Firearms Law Enforcement

Track

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 298: Relating to: grants for technical colleges to provide mapping data to law enforcement. (FE)

AB 298 creates grants for technical colleges to develop and share digital maps of their buildings with local law enforcement. It requires these "interactive critical mapping data" systems to include specific details like building numbers, floors, and room locations - without needing additional software purchases by first responders. The grants, administered by the Office of School Safety, aim to improve emergency response coordination during incidents. This directly affects technical colleges (via district boards) and law enforcement agencies that receive the mapping data.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates grants for technical colleges to share mapping data with law enforcement, funding a public safety program through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds mapping systems for law enforcement to improve emergency response coordination, directly supporting operational capabilities within criminal justice law enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track