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The Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault Gives Legislative Updates

Victim Fair Housing Act – AB 277/ SB 204

• Bars discrimination in housing matters due to status as a victim of SA, DV or stalking.
• Passed by both houses of legislature and is awaiting Governor’s signature.

Child Victims Act – AB 453/ SB 319

• Removes the statute of limitations in civil cases for child sexual assault (current SOL is when victim reaches age 35).
• Creates 3 year “window of opportunity” to bring civil cases for those currently barred from so doing due to SOL.
• Bill passed out of Assembly committee and awaiting action by full Assembly and Senate committee action.

Victim Privacy Act – AB 419

• Creates Civil Rape Shield in WI. Prohibits introduction of evidence of prior sexual conduct of the victim in civil cases with narrow exceptions.
• WI joins the federal courts and several other states in extending this important victim privacy protection.
• Prohibits a court from ordering a victim to submit to mental examination to asses her/his credibility as a condition of allowing the victim to testify.
• Generally prohibits criminal defendant from requiring a victim to submit to pretrial interview or deposition.
• Makes any personally identifiable information about the victim in Crime Victim Comp applications confidential and not a public record.
• Also applies to SAFE fund applications
• Bill passed in the full Assembly and is awaiting committee action in the Senate.

Healthy Youth Act – AB 458/ SB 324

• Requires school districts that offer sex education programming to provide comprehensive programming, not limited to abstinence only education.
• Programming must be medically accurate and age appropriate.
• Programming must address healthy relationships.
• Identify counseling, medical, and legal resources for survivors of SA and dating violence.
• Bill passed in Assembly and awaiting action in Senate.

Video Voyeurism – AB 411/ SB 281

• Provides judges with the option to require defendants to register as a sex offender if the crime was “sexually motivated.”
• Passed out of Senate committee. Awaiting action by full Senate and Assembly.

Lock Out Abusers Act – AB 400/ SB 274

• Requires landlords to change locks or allow victim to change locks within 48 hours of victim request.
• Victim must prove victim status the same way as in Safe Housing Act – i.e. copy of RO, criminal complaint, or condition of release.
• Passed in Assembly and awaiting Senate action.

Gender Violence / Gender Hate Crimes Legislation

AB 480/SB 337 – Gender Violence

• Creates civil cause of action for a person who suffers physical, emotional, or economic harm as a result of a gender-based act.

AB 481/SB 344 – Gender Hate Crimes

• Creates a penalty enhancer for crimes based on gender.
• Bills are still in committee – no action yet.

If you have any questions please contact John Keckhaver at john@keckhaver.com.