This bill decriminalizes prostitution by removing criminal penalties for consenting adults engaging in sex work and establishes a sex workers' bill of rights. It directly affects sex workers, law enforcement agencies, and employers by prohibiting arrests and charges solely for engaging in sex work while granting workers protections against discrimination, harassment, and unsafe working conditions. The legislation reclassifies sex work as legal labor, ensuring sex workers receive minimum wage protections, access to health benefits, and the right to control their work and negotiate contracts. It also mandates that employers, clients, and service beneficiaries maintain safe working environments free from violence and exploitation. The bill defines sex workers as legitimate sole proprietors or businesses and extends existing worker protections to this group.
This bill creates a new civil legal option for victims of sexual extortion to sue for damages without needing to go through criminal court proceedings. It allows individuals who suffer physical injury, emotional distress, or property loss due to sexual extortion to file a lawsuit against the perpetrator, with provisions for parents or guardians to sue on behalf of children. The law permits plaintiffs to use initials instead of their real names in court filings to protect their privacy and allows for recovery of emotional distress damages, punitive damages, and legal fees. Importantly, victims can pursue this civil action regardless of whether criminal charges were filed or the outcome of any criminal case.
AB 957 increases funding by $400,000 for each of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years to support internet crimes against children law enforcement within the Department of Justice. This is a budget adjustment that directly affects the Department of Justice's resources for investigating and prosecuting online crimes targeting minors. The bill does not create new laws or change existing legal standards - it solely allocates additional state funds for enforcement efforts.
SB 838 creates a state grant program providing $1.25 million biennially to fund support services for human trafficking victims. Nonprofit organizations (tax-exempt under IRS 501(c)(3)) must submit applications, provide 50% private matching funds, and coordinate with law enforcement to qualify. 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, prioritizing applicants with strong law enforcement partnerships and capacity to serve many victims.
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.
SB 830 clarifies the legal standard for human trafficking victims to use an "affirmative defense" when charged with crimes committed while escaping trafficking. It defines a crime as a "direct result" of trafficking if it has a clear causal link to the trafficking violation (not caused by other factors), occurs near the trafficking incident, and is necessary to escape or stop the trafficking. This applies specifically to victims of violations under statutes 940.302(2) or 948.051, removing the previous requirement that the trafficking perpetrator be prosecuted. The bill ensures victims cannot be punished for actions taken to survive trafficking, focusing on the immediate connection between the crime and the trafficking incident.
AB 861 extends the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits related to child trafficking. It allows victims to file lawsuits for damages before reaching age 35, instead of the previous deadline. The bill specifically creates new legal provisions (895.439(2) and 893.586) to clarify this timeline for child trafficking cases. It does not change criminal penalties but ensures victims have more time to pursue civil claims, regardless of whether criminal charges were filed. The law directly affects minors who were trafficked and now have until their 35th birthday to seek legal remedies.
SB 864 requires courts to seal the identifying information of child victims and witnesses in human trafficking cases, preventing public disclosure unless a judge holds a hearing and determines disclosure is necessary for justice after considering the child's safety and well-being. The bill also mandates that courts provide necessary courtroom supports - such as testimony accommodations - to protect the health, safety, and liberty of child victims or witnesses during legal proceedings. It directly affects minors involved in human trafficking prosecutions by ensuring their privacy and reducing trauma during court processes. The law applies specifically to cases under statutes addressing human trafficking crimes (940.302 and 948.051).
This bill creates new civil legal paths for victims of human trafficking and child trafficking. It extends the deadline for filing lawsuits related to trafficking a child to age 35, allowing victims to seek civil remedies even if no criminal case was prosecuted. The bill also establishes that victims can pursue actual damages, punitive damages up to triple the actual amount, and attorney fees in these cases. It directly affects individuals harmed by trafficking who wish to pursue civil action against perpetrators.
AB 849 amends Wisconsin statute 939.46(1m) to define "direct result" for an affirmative defense available to victims of human trafficking. The bill clarifies that victims who commit offenses (like theft or assault) to escape or prevent trafficking under s. 940.302(2) or s. 948.051 may use this defense if the offense has a logical causal connection to the trafficking violation, occurs immediately afterward, and is necessary for escape. It directly affects trafficking victims facing criminal charges for actions taken while escaping exploitation. The law removes the requirement that the trafficking violation must have been prosecuted or convicted for the defense to apply.
