Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB504

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 10/18/23
• Refer: 10/18/23
• Report Pass: 2/7/24
• Refer: 2/7/24
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Attendance of children at public events with groups of nude adults and providing a penalty.

Impact

If enacted, AB504 would create new criminal misdemeanors for adults who cause a child to attend such events or who take representations (like photographs) of children at these gatherings, if the depiction captures the child's intimate parts. This change would likely intensify law enforcement's focus on situations involving minors at public events and necessitate the reporting of any violations within 24 hours. The addition of penalties for these offenses underscores the seriousness with which the state views child endangerment and aims to provide a deterrent against these actions.

Summary

Assembly Bill 504 aims to enhance protections for children by prohibiting their attendance at public events where adult participants intentionally expose their intimate parts. The bill defines a clear legal framework for addressing situations where minors might inadvertently be exposed to such circumstances, highlighting the responsibility of adults to safeguard minors from potentially harmful and inappropriate environments. It is designed to mitigate the risk of children being placed in situations where they could witness or be part of such events, thus reinforcing child protection laws within the state.

Contention

Notably, the proposal has sparked discussions regarding the balance between public expression and child safety. Proponents argue that the bill is a necessary measure to safeguard children from exposure to adult nudity in public spaces, while critics may see it as an overreach that could infringe on individuals' rights to assemble and express themselves. There may also be concerns about the enforcement of such laws and the potential implications for lawful gatherings that do not intend to provide harmful experiences to children. The bill acknowledges exceptions, such as allowing a mother to breast-feed at these events, aiming to delineate boundaries while maintaining the focus on child protection.