Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB87

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/23
• Refer: 3/8/23
• Report Pass: 1/18/24
• Refer: 1/18/24
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Restitution upon conviction of vehicular homicide. (FE)

Impact

The introduction of AB87 fundamentally alters the way restitution is calculated in cases where a parent of a minor child is killed due to vehicular homicide. By allowing the court to incorporate the child's ongoing needs and the surviving parent’s circumstances, the bill aims to provide necessary support until the child turns 18 or continues their education up to 19 years of age. This not only emphasizes the state's responsibility towards affected minors but also ensures that justice serves not just the victim's immediate family but provides for the enduring needs of their children. This bill extends the protections and considerations previously outlined in existing restitution laws, amplifying the focus on family impact.

Summary

Assembly Bill 87 focuses on modifying restitution laws concerning vehicular homicide, particularly when the victim is a parent of a minor child. The bill allows courts to consider various factors when determining the amount of restitution that the defendant must pay to the surviving parent or guardian of the victim's children. This includes the financial needs of the children, their standard of living, and the emotional and physical needs of both the child and the surviving parent or guardian. This aspect is designed to ensure that the financial impact of the crime is addressed in a manner that supports the child's welfare.

Contention

Notably, AB87 maintains that the right to sue for damages in civil court remains unaffected, allowing parents or guardians of the victim's children to seek further necessary compensation beyond restitution. Critics may express concerns regarding the implications for defendants' liabilities, particularly regarding how this might encourage or discourage civil lawsuits against defendants. Ensuring that restitution does not inhibit the pursuit of damages in civil actions is a critical component of the bill's design, providing a balanced approach to victim compensation while also addressing the financial realities faced by children who lose a parent in such tragic circumstances.