SB 5 Wisconsin Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Relating to: battery or threat to jurors and providing a penalty.

SB 5 amends Wisconsin statutes to improve background check procedures for certain jobs involving vulnerable populations. It requires agencies (like child welfare or healthcare providers) to verify the final disposition of any serious crime charge - specifically including battery or threat offenses under sections 940.20 and 940.202 - when background checks show a potential conviction within the last five years. If records are incomplete, agencies must contact courts to obtain criminal complaint and conviction details. This affects background checks for roles in childcare, healthcare, and other regulated fields, ensuring more accurate criminal history assessments. The bill does not create new penalties but refines verification processes for existing offenses.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
Assembly Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Aug 2025
Introduced Jan 24, 2025 Signed Aug 11, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Mar 18, 2025

How they voted

294
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 34
Mar 18, 2025
D Democratic16
12 Yea 3 Nay 1
75% Yea
R Republican18
17 Yea 1 Nay
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
28
Key actions
4
Committee
1
Aug 11, 2025
Signed into law
Report approved by the Governor on 8-8-2025. 2025 Wisconsin Act 26
upper
Jun 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read a third time and concurred in
lower
Mar 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Read a third time and passed, Ayes 28, Noes 4
upper
Mar 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Report passage recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 5, Noes 3
upper
Jan 24, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Senators Wanggaard, Nass and Wimberger; cosponsored by Representatives Sortwell, Behnke, Dittrich, Donovan, Franklin, Maxey, Murphy, Mursau, Nedweski, Novak, O'Connor, Piwowarczyk, Wichgers, Zimmerman and Subeck
upper
3 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors