Criminal Justice (Domestic Violence)

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1154: Relating to: firearm transfers and possession that are prohibited under federal law. (FE)

This bill amends Wisconsin statutes to clarify how firearm transfers and possession are prohibited under federal law, particularly in cases involving domestic abuse. It reorganizes and updates definitions of "domestic abuse" and "dating relationship" to include individuals with whom the actor has a dating relationship or resides, ensuring broader protection for victims. The legislation also adjusts related criminal statutes to align with these updated definitions, though it failed to pass in the 2026 session.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens domestic abuse protections by clarifying firearm prohibitions and expanding definitions, enhancing victim safety and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1056: Relating to: firearm transfers and possession, law enforcement and prosecution, victims and witnesses, obstruction of justice, mental health and substance use services, hate crimes reporting portal, fraud, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 1056 is a comprehensive rewrite of Wisconsin's criminal justice laws that creates new funding streams for community policing ($10 million), officer recruitment/retention ($5 million), and violence prevention ($5 million). The bill reorganizes legal provisions related to firearm transfers, domestic violence, sexual assault, hate crimes reporting, and victim services, while establishing specific funding amounts for the address confidentiality program ($180,200). It modifies reimbursement processes for counties providing victim-witness services and creates new alternatives to prosecution for individuals with substance use disorders. The legislation directly affects law enforcement agencies, victims' services providers, and individuals seeking substance use treatment instead of traditional criminal prosecution.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $10M community policing, $5M officer recruitment, $5M violence prevention, and $180,200 address confidentiality, explicitly increasing state appropriations for public safety services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $20M for community policing, violence prevention, and officer retention while reorganizing domestic violence/sexual assault provisions to advance reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 27, 2026

AB 938: Relating to: an optional final hearing by affidavit for the dissolution of a marriage (suggested as remedial legislation by the Office of the Director of State Courts).

AB 938 amends Wisconsin law to require divorcing couples to disclose in their dissolution affidavits whether they were involved in any past domestic abuse cases. Specifically, the affidavit must state if either party was part of pending or completed court cases involving interspousal battery, domestic abuse, or related criminal charges under statutes like 940.60 or 940.61. This change directly affects individuals filing for divorce in Wisconsin who may have prior domestic violence history. The bill adds this disclosure requirement to the affidavit process, aiming to improve court awareness of potential safety risks during divorce proceedings. It does not alter divorce eligibility or timelines but mandates this specific information be included.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires disclosure of past domestic abuse cases (criminal charges) in divorce filings to enhance victim safety and court oversight in criminal justice context.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 821: Relating to: forensic examinations done on a crime victim to gather evidence, modifying administrative rules relating to reimbursement for forensic examinations, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 821 creates a $2.5 million biennial grant program to help health care facilities recruit and retain staff who perform forensic exams on crime victims. It requires facilities to establish new positions, recruitment programs, or training for providers conducting exams related to domestic abuse or strangulation cases. The bill also revises reimbursement rules to ensure health care providers receive payment for exam costs (including STD testing/treatment) regardless of whether victims cooperate with law enforcement. This directly affects health care facilities and providers who conduct these forensic examinations for victims of specific offenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates $2.5M biennial grant for forensic exam staff recruitment and revised reimbursement rules, directly funding public service program.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds forensic exam staff and ensures reimbursement for victim services, advancing victim-centered criminal justice reform through improved evidence collection and provider support.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds healthcare facilities for forensic exam staff recruitment/retention and ensures reimbursement for STD testing/treatment, supporting patient access to care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Victims' Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 844: Relating to: forensic examinations done on a crime victim to gather evidence, modifying administrative rules relating to reimbursement for forensic examinations, and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 844 creates a $2.5 million biennial grant program to help healthcare facilities recruit and retain providers who conduct forensic exams for sexual assault, domestic abuse, or strangulation cases. It requires facilities to establish new positions or programs for these exams and guarantees reimbursement to providers regardless of whether victims cooperate with law enforcement. The bill modifies reimbursement rules to cover all exam costs (including STI prevention treatments) up to a $3,000 maximum per exam, adjusted annually for inflation. This directly affects healthcare facilities providing these services in counties needing additional exam providers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2.5M biennial grant for forensic exam services, directly funding public health programs through state appropriation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds forensic exam programs for victims, guarantees reimbursement regardless of police cooperation, advancing victim-centered criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $2.5M for healthcare facility staffing/funding to conduct forensic exams, guarantees full reimbursement for services including STI treatment, directly advancing patient access to critical healthcare services.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Victims' Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 952: Relating to: storage of a firearm in a house in which a resident is prohibited from possessing a firearm and providing a penalty.

AB 952 requires anyone living in a household with a person prohibited from possessing firearms (such as someone with certain felony convictions or domestic violence orders) to securely store their own firearms - either in a locked container, a locked location a reasonable person would consider secure, or with a trigger lock engaged. This law directly affects residents in households where one member has a legal restriction on firearm possession. Violating this storage requirement results in penalties: a first offense is a Class A misdemeanor, and repeat violations are classified as Class I felonies. The bill aims to prevent accidental or unauthorized access to firearms in homes where one resident cannot legally own them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires secure firearm storage in homes with prohibited owners, preventing potential gun violence and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 20: Relating to: allowing certain married persons to claim the earned income tax credit when filing a separate return. (FE)

SB 20 allows married individuals who live apart from their spouse due to domestic abuse (as defined by state law) to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) when filing a separate state tax return. It provides a state tax credit equal to 4%, 11%, or 34% of the federal EITC amount - depending on whether the filer has one, two, or three or more qualifying children living with them. The bill applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, and modifies existing tax code to permit this credit for eligible individuals who cannot file jointly. This policy change directly supports domestic abuse survivors facing financial barriers while filing separately.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands EITC access for domestic abuse survivors, providing tax relief to lower-income filers through state credit matching federal EITC percentages.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables tax benefits for domestic abuse victims, supporting economic independence and reducing barriers to escaping abuse - aligns with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands access to EITC - a key worker benefit - for domestic abuse victims, strengthening financial support for low-income workers under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Domestic Violence

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vetoed · Wisconsin · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 76: Relating to: dismissing or amending certain criminal charges and deferred prosecution agreements for certain crimes.

SB 76 requires courts to approve any dismissal or amendment of criminal charges for specific "covered crimes" (like domestic abuse violations, certain traffic offenses, or crimes under Chapter 948). Prosecutors must provide reasons for seeking such changes, and courts can only approve if the action aligns with deterring these offenses. The bill also prohibits deferred prosecution agreements for these crimes and mandates annual court reports detailing approved dismissals. This directly affects prosecutors, courts, and defendants charged with the listed offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts dismissal/amendment of charges for covered crimes, requiring deterrence justification and banning deferred prosecution, limiting judicial discretion in criminal justice cases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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