Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 713: Relating to: access to prisons and jails for oversight purposes. (FE)

SB 713 requires state correctional facilities and county jails to provide immediate access (within 24 hours) to certain oversight personnel for facility tours. It directly affects legislators on committees related to corrections and county employees responsible for overseeing county jails, granting them access to residential areas, cells, meal spaces, and prisoner discussions. Key provisions include a limit of 12 facility tours per year per person and restrictions on visits between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., with access required during daylight hours instead. The bill does not change prison operations but establishes a structured process for oversight access.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires immediate access for oversight personnel to correctional facilities, enhancing transparency and accountability in corrections oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 725: Relating to: in-person visiting periods for inmates of state correctional institutions and county jails or houses of correction. (FE)

SB 725 requires state correctional facilities and county jails to provide inmates with at least two in-person visiting periods per week, with exceptions during lockdowns or solitary confinement (up to 10 days). The bill mandates that inmates may physically embrace visitors for 20 seconds at the start and end of each visit, and facilities must provide paper, pens, and art supplies upon request, allowing inmates to keep original visitor-made artwork. It directly affects all inmates in state prisons and county jails, as well as correctional staff (state department or sheriff’s office) responsible for implementing these visiting rules. The law also establishes a formal process for inmates or visitors to appeal unauthorized removal from a visitor registry.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes family connections and creative engagement in correctional facilities, supporting rehabilitation and inmate well-being - key criminal justice reform elements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 708: Relating to: telecommunications service access by inmates and juveniles and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 708 requires state prisons, juvenile correctional facilities, and county jails to provide inmates and juveniles with free telecommunications access, including at least 180 minutes of weekly phone calls, 60 minutes of video calls, and 100 text messages. It creates new funding lines ($4.46 million for adult facilities, $517,500 for juvenile facilities in 2025-26) to cover these services and mandates centralized contracting to reduce costs. Counties must either join the state’s contracted telecom provider or submit detailed reports and cost data to the legislature. The bill prohibits charging inmates for basic service access and ensures facilities maintain existing service levels while allowing additional access if possible.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new budget appropriations ($4.46M adult, $517.5K juvenile) to fund inmate telecommunications access, directly advancing state budget allocation for a public service program.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides free telecom access to inmates/juveniles to maintain family ties, reducing recidivism per criminal justice reform indicators. Allocates $4.98M for implementation.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates free telecom access including phone/video calls/texts for inmates, expanding communication services and advancing internet access policy through dedicated funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Corrections Juvenile Justice Telecommunications

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 724: Relating to: recreational opportunities and structured programming for inmates in state correctional institutions and county jails and houses of correction. (FE)

SB 724 requires state correctional facilities and county jails to provide inmates with minimum weekly hours of recreational activities and structured programming, based on staffing levels. For state facilities, inmates must get at least 35 hours weekly (5 hours daily) if staffing is ≥80% (including 7 hours recreation and 14 hours structured programming), or 21 hours if staffing is lower. County jails must provide 10 hours weekly starting day 31 of confinement, increasing to 35 or 21 hours after day 90 based on staffing. The law prioritizes academic, vocational, reentry planning, and wellness programs, with exceptions for lockdowns (max 10 days). It directly affects all inmates in state prisons and county detention facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates structured programming and recreation for inmates to enhance rehabilitation, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 723: Relating to: bathing periods for inmates of state correctional institutions and county jails or houses of correction. (FE)

AB 723 establishes minimum bathing requirements for inmates in state correctional facilities and county jails. It mandates that state facilities provide at least four 15-minute bathing periods weekly, including 10 minutes of heated running water, while county jails must meet the same standard. The bill directly affects all inmates in these facilities by setting concrete, measurable hygiene standards. It requires the state department of corrections and county sheriffs to implement these provisions, with no additional exemptions or cost details specified in the current text.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates minimum bathing standards for inmates in correctional facilities, advancing humane conditions and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of improving inmate welfare and facility standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 740: Relating to: solitary confinement. (FE)

AB 740 limits solitary confinement to a maximum of 10 days per instance and requires a 60-day waiting period between solitary periods for inmates in state prisons and county jails. It mandates that prison and jail staff provide inmates in solitary with specific items (like books, hygiene products, and paper), access to prenatal care for pregnant individuals, three weekly 25-minute video visitation sessions, and at least 15 hours per week of structured programming - including in-person visits from case managers and department staff (like health or education). The bill directly affects all inmates placed in solitary confinement under current rules, ensuring minimum standards for their well-being during confinement. The legislation is pending in the Corrections Committee after being introduced on December 3, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill limits solitary confinement duration (10 days max), mandates rehabilitation services (structured programming, prenatal care), and improves inmate conditions - key criminal justice reform measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 736: Relating to: free menstrual products for inmates of state correctional institutions or county jails or houses of correction. (FE)

AB 736 requires state correctional facilities and county jails to provide free, nontoxic menstrual products to all inmates with active menstrual cycles. It mandates facilities to offer at least three verified brands each of tampons (with plastic applicator), pads, and reusable menstrual cups from a published list of nontoxic products. The bill defines "nontoxic" as free from harmful chemicals and requires facilities to sanitize reusable cups as needed. This directly affects incarcerated people who menstruate, ensuring access to essential hygiene products without cost. The law applies to all state prisons, county jails, and houses of correction in the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates humane conditions in correctional facilities by requiring free, nontoxic menstrual products for inmates, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of improving inmate welfare and dignity.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides free nontoxic menstrual products to inmates, improving access to essential health supplies for incarcerated people, a public health measure under healthcare access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 773: Relating to: the treatment of a pregnant or postpartum person in prison or jail. (FE)

AB 773 requires correctional facilities to provide specific care for incarcerated pregnant and postpartum individuals (within 6 weeks of birth). It prohibits unnecessary restraints on these individuals except in extreme safety circumstances, mandating written documentation and staff training. Facilities must offer pregnancy testing, STI/HIV screening, continuing medication, doula/lactation support (if available at no cost), mental health assessments, and breastfeeding supplies. The bill directly affects all pregnant or postpartum people held in state prisons or jails, ensuring access to healthcare and support services during incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates healthcare, restricts unnecessary restraints for pregnant inmates, advancing humane corrections reform and protecting vulnerable populations within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates pregnancy testing, STI/HIV screening, mental health assessments, and breastfeeding support in prisons, directly expanding healthcare access for incarcerated pregnant individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health Women's Health

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 809: Relating to: investigation of any pregnancy outcome and civil and criminal liability exemptions relating to pregnancy outcome.

AB 809 prohibits state and local government funding for investigations into pregnancy outcomes (like miscarriage or stillbirth) when treating the person as a crime suspect. It bans law enforcement from investigating individuals as suspects solely due to their own pregnancy outcomes, requiring consent before investigating cases involving others' pregnancy outcomes. The bill exempts women from civil or criminal liability for pregnancy outcomes (including miscarriage, abortion, or stillbirth) and amends statutes to clarify that abortion-related legal protections apply. It directly affects women experiencing pregnancy outcomes, law enforcement agencies, and health services (with limited exceptions for health investigations). The bill creates new legal protections by restricting investigations and eliminating liability for pregnancy-related events.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents criminalizing pregnancy outcomes (miscarriage/stillbirth), banning law enforcement investigations as crimes, reducing unnecessary criminal justice system involvement in medical events.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareThe bill protects patient rights by exempting women from liability for pregnancy outcomes and banning investigations that could deter medical care for miscarriage/stillbirth, supporting healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Women's Health

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 743: Relating to: considering post-traumatic stress disorder as a mitigating factor in sentencing certain criminal offenders. (FE)

AB 743 adds post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosed from military service as a potential mitigating factor in sentencing for veterans convicted of crimes. It specifically applies to veterans (defined as those who served in U.S. armed forces) who have a documented PTSD diagnosis linked to their military service. Courts may now consider this PTSD diagnosis when determining sentences, potentially leading to reduced penalties. The bill takes effect for offenses committed after it becomes law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows PTSD from military service as mitigating factor in sentencing, reducing harsh penalties for veterans and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly recognizes military service-related PTSD as a mitigating factor in veteran sentencing, offering legal protection and acknowledging service impact on criminal cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Veteran Mental Health

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