Criminal Justice (Human Trafficking)

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 834: Relating to: courtroom supports for and sealing the identifying information of child victims and child witnesses of human trafficking crimes. (FE)

This bill requires courts to automatically seal personal details (like names or photos) of child victims and witnesses in human trafficking cases. It prohibits public disclosure of this information unless a court holds a hearing considering the child's safety and decides disclosure serves justice. Courts must also provide necessary support services - such as private testimony rooms or emotional support - to protect the child's well-being during proceedings. These changes directly protect children involved in trafficking cases from potential harm while ensuring fair legal processes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects child victims' privacy and well-being in trafficking cases, aligning with victim protection in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 91: Relating to: imposing the penalty of life imprisonment for the crime of child trafficking and providing a penalty. (FE)

SB 91 upgrades penalties for child trafficking by imposing mandatory life imprisonment without parole when the crime involves three or more child victims. It applies to individuals who recruit, transport, or exploit children for commercial sex acts (as defined by existing law), as well as those who benefit financially from such trafficking. The bill amends statutes to classify these offenses as Class A felonies with no possibility of parole or extended supervision. This change directly affects convicted traffickers and their enablers, ensuring life sentences for repeat or large-scale cases involving multiple minors.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory life without parole for child trafficking, increasing harsh mandatory sentences - directly aligns with 'oppose' indicators of stricter penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Probation & Parole Sentencing

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 266: Relating to: human trafficking and trafficking of a child and providing a penalty.

SB 266 amends Wisconsin law to create a new criminal penalty for individuals who knowingly profit from human trafficking. Specifically, it makes it a Class F felony to receive compensation from the earnings of victims subjected to debt bondage, prostitution, or commercial sex acts. This law directly affects traffickers or others who financially benefit from exploiting victims, with penalties applying to offenses committed on or after the law's effective date. The bill also clarifies that the new penalty applies to cases where prosecution time limits had not yet expired as of the effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new Class F felony for profiting from human trafficking, strengthening accountability against exploitation and protecting victims in criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 138: Relating to: prostitution crime surcharge and making an appropriation. (FE)

Senate Bill 138 establishes a new $5,000 prostitution crime surcharge to be imposed by courts on individuals convicted of specific prostitution-related offenses. This surcharge directly affects those convicted of these crimes. The bill directs that half of the collected funds be used for treatment and services for sex-trafficking victims, while the other half supports criminal investigative operations and prosecution related to Internet crimes against children.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes new surcharge funding allocation for victim services and child crime investigations, directly advancing public program funding within budget management.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates surcharge funds to sex-trafficking victim services and child crime investigations, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Fees & Licensing Human Trafficking

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signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Dec 10, 2025

AB 265: Relating to: human trafficking and trafficking of a child and providing a penalty.

AB 265 strengthens Wisconsin's penalties for human trafficking by requiring minimum prison terms: 15 years for child trafficking and 10 years for general human trafficking convictions. It creates new felony charges for individuals who profit from trafficking (Class D C felony) or receive compensation from commercial sex acts or debt bondage (Class F E felony). The bill directly affects convicted traffickers, their financial beneficiaries, and those who facilitate trafficking through recruitment or harboring of children for commercial sex. These sentencing changes apply to offenses committed after the bill's effective date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory prison terms and creates new felony charges for trafficking, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing - opposing reform-focused approaches.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Sentencing

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 3, 2026

AB 86: Relating to: imposing the penalty of life imprisonment for the crime of child trafficking and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 86 amends Wisconsin law to impose a life sentence without parole for individuals convicted of child trafficking involving three or more child victims. It specifically upgrades penalties under statutes 948.051(1)(b) and 948.051(2)(b), defining child trafficking as recruiting, transporting, or exploiting children for commercial sex acts. The bill requires courts to sentence offenders to life imprisonment without parole eligibility when three or more child victims are involved, affecting both traffickers and those who benefit from such crimes. This change applies to offenses committed on or after the bill’s effective date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates life without parole for child trafficking with ≥3 victims, increasing mandatory sentencing under criminal justice statutes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Probation & Parole

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 95: Relating to: restitution orders following a conviction for human trafficking and restoration of the right to vote to a person barred from voting as a result of a felony conviction. (FE)

SB 95 changes voting rights restoration rules for people with felony convictions by requiring full payment of all financial obligations - including restitution, fines, costs, and fees - before voting rights are restored. For human trafficking convictions (specifically under sections 940.302(2) or 948.051), courts must order immediate restitution payments, with enforcement options like property execution if unpaid. This affects individuals barred from voting due to felony convictions who have completed sentences but still owe financial penalties. The bill updates two statutes to ensure voting rights restoration is tied directly to resolving all court-ordered financial responsibilities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires full payment of financial obligations before restoring voting rights, restricting civil rights for formerly incarcerated individuals and increasing barriers to reintegration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Human Trafficking

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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

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vetoed · Wisconsin · Assembly May 13, 2026

AB 87: Relating to: restitution orders following a conviction for human trafficking and restoration of the right to vote to a person barred from voting as a result of a felony conviction. (FE)

AB 87 modifies Wisconsin law to require courts to order immediate restitution payments for human trafficking convictions (specifically under sections 940.302(2) or 948.051) and to enforce these payments through property execution if unpaid. It also changes voting rights restoration rules: a person convicted of a felony regains voting rights only after completing their sentence, paying all fines/costs/restitution, and finishing any court-ordered community service. The bill mandates that the elections commission must inform individuals in writing when their voting rights are restored. This directly affects people convicted of human trafficking (impacting restitution timing) and all felony offenders (impacting voting rights restoration conditions). The law was vetoed by the governor on August 11, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires restitution for human trafficking (accountability) and ties voting rights restoration to completing sentences, fines, and community service (rehabilitation pathway), aligning with reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Human Trafficking Victims' Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 510: Relating to: use of certain statements as evidence in prosecution for prostitution.

AB 510 prevents law enforcement or medical providers from using statements about prostitution as evidence in court if a person contacts them to report another crime (like theft or assault) or seek medical care. It applies directly to individuals seeking help for non-prostitution issues, including those reporting on behalf of others. The bill prohibits using any prostitution-related statements obtained during these unrelated contacts in prosecution for prostitution or attempted prostitution. This policy change ensures that people accessing emergency services or reporting other crimes cannot face additional charges based on their initial contact. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee after its October 2025 introduction.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents using prostitution statements made during unrelated contacts (e.g., reporting crimes) as evidence in prostitution prosecutions, protecting individuals from unnecessary criminalization and aligning with civil rights reform in criminal just...95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient access to medical care by preventing use of unrelated prostitution statements in court, encouraging reporting of crimes/seeking care without fear of prosecution.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

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