Criminal Justice (Policing)

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 331: Relating to: establishing a civil cause of action for civil rights violations.

AB 331 creates a new legal right for individuals who believe their constitutional rights (such as due process or equal protection) were violated by government officials acting under color of law, including police or state employees. It allows victims to sue for damages, court orders to stop violations, and court-ordered attorney fees. The law sets a 6-year deadline to file such lawsuits and applies to both federal and state civil rights violations. It does not apply to cases already covered by existing statutes like 893.80 or 893.82.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates civil remedy for police/civil rights violations, enhancing accountability and aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Policing Tags Civil Liberties

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 538: Relating to: use of certain statements as evidence in prosecution for prostitution.

SB 538 prevents law enforcement from using statements about prostitution as evidence in prosecution if those statements were gathered while someone sought medical care or reported another crime (not prostitution). It protects individuals who contact police, medical providers, or emergency services for reasons unrelated to prostitution, as well as those reporting crimes or seeking care on behalf of others. The bill creates a clear rule that statements obtained during these unrelated interactions cannot be used to prosecute a person for prostitution. This change directly affects people interacting with authorities for medical or non-prostitution-related crime reporting, ensuring such statements remain inadmissible in prostitution cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects defendants' rights by preventing use of statements from unrelated medical/crime reports as evidence, reducing unwarranted prostitution prosecutions.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents law enforcement from using medical care interactions as evidence in prostitution cases, removing barriers to seeking healthcare and protecting patient rights during medical visits.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 132: Relating to: classification of the crime of impersonating law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and certain other emergency personnel and providing a penalty.

SB 132 upgrades penalties for impersonating emergency personnel, changing the offense from a misdemeanor to a felony. It applies to anyone pretending to be a police officer, firefighter, paramedic (emergency medical services practitioner), or emergency medical responder with intent to deceive. The bill creates a new felony classification under state law, replacing current misdemeanor penalties for these specific impersonation acts. This directly affects individuals who falsely pose as these professionals, increasing potential criminal consequences.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for impersonating emergency personnel, expanding criminalization by upgrading offense to felony instead of misdemeanor.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 355: Relating to: establishing a civil cause of action for civil rights violations.

SB 355 creates a new legal pathway for individuals whose constitutional rights (under U.S. or state law) were violated by government actors acting "under color of law" (e.g., police, officials). It allows affected people to sue for damages, injunctions, or other relief against the violating party, including government entities. The bill specifically requires courts to award reasonable attorney fees to winning plaintiffs and sets a 6-year deadline to file such lawsuits. This directly affects anyone facing rights violations by government officials, providing a clear legal remedy where none existed previously under the cited statutes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates civil rights lawsuit pathway for police misconduct, enhancing accountability and protecting individuals' rights under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Policing Tags Civil Liberties

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 29: Relating to: impoundment of vehicles used in certain traffic offenses.

AB 29 allows police to seize (impound) vehicles used in specific traffic violations, such as a second speeding offense exceeding 25 mph over the limit, repeated DUI-related violations, or reckless driving. It directly affects drivers convicted of these offenses, requiring vehicles to be held for 90 days unless released earlier through owner request (if they didn’t operate the vehicle during the violation) or court order. Owners can petition a court for immediate release within 30 days if charges are dismissed or if they prove ownership and lack of consent during the violation. If convicted, courts may adjust the impound period, and drivers must cover law enforcement’s reasonable impoundment costs.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates vehicle impoundment for repeat traffic offenses, increasing penalties without reform measures, aligning with indicators of expanding criminalization.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances traffic safety by mandating vehicle impoundment for severe violations like repeated speeding and reckless driving, strengthening road safety regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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vetoed · Wisconsin · Assembly May 13, 2026

AB 629: Relating to: police authority to disable drones threatening public safety and providing a penalty.

AB 629 prohibits operating drones over correctional facilities without authorization from facility leaders (e.g., secretary of corrections or sheriff). It imposes a $5,000 fine for unauthorized drone flights and criminalizes using weaponized drones (equipped with tasers, firearms, etc.) near prisons, classifying it as a Class H felony. The bill grants police officers authority to disable or destroy drones they reasonably believe pose an imminent threat to public safety, including through jamming or hacking, without financial liability for property damage. These provisions directly affect drone operators near prisons, facility staff, and law enforcement agencies, with specific focus on preventing security threats at correctional institutions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances prison security by authorizing police to disable threatening drones, directly protecting correctional facilities within criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 558: Relating to: warrior-style training of law enforcement officers. (FE)

AB 558 bans "warrior-style training" for law enforcement officers in the state, directly affecting law enforcement agencies, officers, and training organizations. The bill prohibits agencies from providing, arranging, reimbursing, or contracting for such training - defined as any program that dehumanizes individuals or encourages aggressive conduct that increases the likelihood of deadly force. It specifically exempts aikido training, allowing agencies to provide or reimburse for it. The law amends state statutes to enforce these restrictions on training content and funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans 'warrior-style' law enforcement training that dehumanizes individuals and increases deadly force risk, aligning with police accountability and civil rights reform in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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