2025 - 2026 LEGISLATURE
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2025 SENATE BILL 5
January 24, 2025 - Introduced by Senators WANGGAARD, NASS and WIMBERGER,
cosponsored by Representatives SORTWELL, BEHNKE, DITTRICH, DONOVAN,
FRANKLIN, MAXEY, MURPHY, MURSAU, NEDWESKI, NOVAK, O'CONNOR,
PIWOWARCZYK, WICHGERS, ZIMMERMAN and SUBECK. Referred to Committee
on Judiciary and Public Safety.
AN ACT to renumber and amend 940.20 (3) (title) and 940.20 (3); to amend
48.685 (2) (bb), 48.685 (5) (bm) 4., 48.686 (1) (c) 9., 48.686 (1) (c) 12., 48.686 (2)
(bb), 50.065 (2) (bb), 165.70 (1) (b), 165.84 (7) (ab) 2., 301.048 (2) (bm) 1. a.,
767.461 (4), 940.03, 941.29 (1g) (a), 941.291 (1) (b), 941.39 (title), 946.82 (4),
949.03 (2), 968.26 (1b) (a) 2. a., 969.08 (10) (b), 973.049 (2) and 973.123 (1); to
create 939.22 (21) (es), 940.202 (1) and (3) and 941.38 (1) (b) 5s. of the
statutes; relating to: battery or threat to jurors and providing a penalty.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, the crime of battery is defined as intentionally causing
another person bodily harm and is a Class A misdemeanor. Under current law, if
the battery is a special circumstance battery—for example, the battery is
committed against an individual because of the individual’s status as a law
enforcement officer, witness in a trial, or juror—the penalty is increased to a Class
H felony. Under this bill, a threat or battery against a juror or a threat or battery
against a family member of a juror is a Class H felony.
Current law also allows a judge, upon sentencing a person for a crime, to 2025 - 2026 Legislature
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prohibit the person from contacting a victim of or witness to the person’s crime
during any part of the person’s sentence or probation. The bill allows a judge to
prohibit a person who is convicted of a crime from contacting, for any part of the
person’s sentence or probation, a juror who served at any proceeding related to the
person’s crime.
Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime,
the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a
report.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SECTION 1. 48.685 (2) (bb) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.685 (2) (bb) If information obtained under par. (am), (b), or (ba) indicates a
charge of a serious crime, but does not completely and clearly indicate the final
disposition of the charge, the department, county department, child welfare agency,
or entity shall make every reasonable effort to contact the clerk of courts to
determine the final disposition of the charge. If a background information form
under sub. (6) (a) or (am) indicates a charge or a conviction of a serious crime, but
information obtained under par. (am), (b), or (ba) does not indicate such a charge or
conviction, the department, county department, child welfare agency, or entity
shall make every reasonable effort to contact the clerk of courts to obtain a copy of
the criminal complaint and the final disposition of the complaint. If information
obtained under par. (am), (b), or (ba), a background information form under sub. (6)
(a) or (am), or any other information indicates a conviction of a violation of s. 940.19
(1), 940.195, 940.20, 940.202, 940.204, 941.30, 942.08, 947.01 (1), or 947.013
obtained not more than 5 years before the date on which that information was
obtained, the department, county department, child welfare agency, or entity shall 2025 - 2026 Legislature
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SECTION 1
make every reasonable effort to contact the clerk of courts to obtain a copy of the
criminal complaint and judgment of conviction relating to that violation.
SECTION 2. 48.685 (5) (bm) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:
48.685 (5) (bm) 4. A violation of s. 940.19 (3), 1999 stats., or of s. 125.075 (1),
125.085 (3) (a) 2., 125.105 (2) (b), 125.66 (3), 125.68 (12), 940.09, 940.19 (2), (4), (5),
or (6), 940.20, 940.202, 940.203, 940.204, 940.205, 940.207, or 940.25, a violation of
s. 346.63 (1), (2), (5), or (6) that is a felony under s. 346.65 (2) (am) 4. to 7., or (f), (2j)
(d), or (3m), or an offense under ch. 961 that is a felony, if committed not more than
5 years before the date of the investigation under sub. (2) (am).
SECTION 3. 48.686 (1) (c) 9. of the statutes is amended to read:
48.686 (1) (c) 9. A violation of s. 125.075 (1), 125.085 (3) (a) 2., 125.105 (2) (b),
125.66 (3), 125.68 (12), 940.09, 940.19 (2), (4), (5), or (6), 940.20, 940.202, 940.203,
940.204, 940.205, 940.207, 940.25, or 943.231 (1), a violation of s. 346.63 (1), (2), (5),
or (6) that is a felony under s. 346.65 (2) (am) 4., 5., 6., or 7. or (f), (2j) (d), or (3m), or
an offense under ch. 961 that is a felony.
SECTION 4. 48.686 (1) (c) 12. of the statutes is amended to read:
48.686 (1) (c) 12. A violation of the laws of another state or United States
jurisdiction that if committed in this state would constitute felony battery under s.
940.19 (2), (4), (5), or (6), 940.20, 940.202, or 940.204, a felony offense of domestic
abuse, as defined in s. 813.12 (1) (am), a sex offense or a violent crime under ch. 948,
or a violation of s. 940.225 if the victim was a child.
SECTION 5. 48.686 (2) (bb) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.686 (2) (bb) If information obtained under par. (am) indicates a charge of a
serious crime, but does not completely and clearly indicate the final disposition of 2025 - 2026 Legislature
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the charge, the department shall make every reasonable effort to contact the clerk
of courts to determine the final disposition of the charge. If information submitted
to the department under par. (ag) indicates a charge or a conviction of a serious
crime, but information obtained under par. (am) does not indicate such a charge or
conviction, the department shall make every reasonable effort to contact the clerk
of courts to obtain a copy of the criminal complaint and the final disposition of the
complaint. If information obtained under par. (am), information submitted under
par. (ag), or any other information indicates a conviction of a violation of s. 940.19
(1), 940.195, 940.20, 940.202, 940.204, 941.30, 942.08, 947.01 (1), or 947.013
obtained not more than 5 years before the date on which that information was
obtained, the department shall make every reasonable effort to contact the clerk of
courts to obtain a copy of the criminal complaint and judgment of conviction
relating to that violation.
SECTION 6. 50.065 (2) (bb) of the statutes is amended to read:
50.065 (2) (bb) If information obtained under par. (am) or (b) indicates a
charge of a serious crime, but does not completely and clearly indicate the final
disposition of the charge, the department or entity shall make every reasonable
effort to contact the clerk of courts to determine the final disposition of the charge.
If a background information form under sub. (6) (a) or (am), or any disclosure made
pursuant to a disclosure policy described under sub. (6) (am), indicates a charge or
a conviction of a serious crime, but information obtained under par. (am) or (b) does
not indicate such a charge or conviction, the department or entity shall make every
reasonable effort to contact the clerk of courts to obtain a copy of the criminal 2025 - 2026 Legislature
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complaint and the final disposition of the complaint. If information obtained under
par. (am) or (b), a background information form under sub. (6) (a) or (am), any
disclosure made pursuant to a disclosure policy described under sub. (6) (am), or
any other information indicates a conviction of a violation of s. 940.19 (1), 940.195,
940.20, 940.202, 940.204, 941.30, 942.08, 947.01 (1), or 947.013 obtained not more
than 5 years before the date on which that information was obtained, the
department or entity shall make every reasonable effort to contact the clerk of
courts to obtain a copy of the criminal complaint and judgment of conviction
relating to that violation.
SECTION 7. 165.70 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
165.70 (1) (b) Except as provided in sub. (1m), enforce chs. 945 and 961 and ss.
940.20 (3), 940.201, 940.202, 941.25, 941.26, 943.01 (2) (c), 943.011, 943.27, 943.28,
943.30, 944.30 (1m), 944.31, 944.32, 944.33, 944.34, 946.65, 947.02 (3) and (4),
948.075, 948.08, and 948.081.
SECTION 8. 165.84 (7) (ab) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
165.84 (7) (ab) 2. A felony violation of s. 940.02, 940.03, 940.06, 940.07,
940.08, 940.09 (1c), 940.10, 940.19 (2), (4), (5), or (6), 940.195 (2), (4), (5), or (6),
940.20, 940.201 (2), 940.202, 940.203 (2), 940.204, 940.205 (2), 940.207 (2), 940.208,
940.23, 941.30, or 948.03 (3) or (5) (a) 4.
SECTION 9. 301.048 (2) (bm) 1. a. of the statutes is amended to read:
301.048 (2) (bm) 1. a. A crime specified in s. 940.19 (3), 1999 stats., s. 940.195
(3), 1999 stats., s. 943.23 (1m), 1999 stats., s. 943.23 (1r), 1999 stats., or s. 943.23
(1g), 2021 stats., or s. 940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.06, 940.08, 940.09, 940.10, 2025 - 2026 Legislature
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940.19 (4) or (5), 940.195 (4) or (5), 940.198 (2), 940.20, 940.201, 940.202, 940.203,
940.204, 940.21, 940.225 (1) to (3), 940.23, 940.235, 940.285 (2) (a) 1. or 2., 940.29,
940.295 (3) (b) 1g., 1m., 1r., 2., or 3., 940.31, 940.43 (1) to (3), 940.45 (1) to (3), 941.20
(2) or (3), 941.26, 941.30, 941.327, 943.01 (2) (c), 943.011, 943.013, 943.02, 943.04,
943.06, 943.10 (2), 943.231 (1), 943.30, 943.32, 946.43, 947.015, 948.02 (1) or (2),
948.025, 948.03, 948.04, 948.05, 948.051, 948.06, 948.07, 948.08, 948.085, or
948.30.
SECTION 10. 767.461 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
767.461 (4) A term of incarceration, extended supervision, parole, or
probation for a violation of s. 940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.06, 940.08, 940.09,
940.10, 940.19, 940.195, 940.20, 940.201 (2), 940.202, 940.203 (2), 940.204, 940.225
(1), (2), or (3), 940.23, 940.235, 940.24 (1), 940.30, 940.302 (2), 940.305, 940.31,
940.32 (2), (2e), or (2m), 940.42, 940.43, 940.44, 940.45, 941.20, 941.29, 941.30,
941.39, 943.011 (2), 947.012, 947.013, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03, 948.04,
948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07, 948.08, 948.085, 948.095, 948.30, 948.55,
or 951.02 or any felony to which the penalty enhancer under s. 939.621 could be
imposed, for a violation of a 72-hour no contact order under s. 968.075 (5), for a
violation of a domestic abuse restraining order, child abuse restraining order, or
harassment restraining order, or for a violation to which a penalty enhancer for the
use of a dangerous weapon is applied.
SECTION 11. 939.22 (21) (es) of the statutes is created to read:
939.22 (21) (es) Battery or threat to a juror or the family member of a juror, as
prohibited in s. 940.202. 2025 - 2026 Legislature
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SECTION 12
SECTION 12. 940.03 of the statutes is amended to read:
940.03 Felony murder. Whoever causes the death of another human being
while committing or attempting to commit a crime specified in s. 940.19, 940.195,
940.20, 940.201, 940.202, 940.203, 940.204, 940.225 (1) or (2) (a), 940.30, 940.31,
943.02, 943.10 (2), 943.231 (1), or 943.32 (2) may be imprisoned for not more than 15
years in excess of the maximum term of imprisonment provided by law for that
crime or attempt.
SECTION 13. 940.20 (3) (title) of the statutes is renumbered 940.202 (title)
and amended to read:
940.202 (title) Battery or threat to jurors.
SECTION 14. 940.20 (3) of the statutes is renumbered 940.202 (2) and
amended to read:
940.202 (2) Whoever intentionally causes bodily harm or threatens to cause
bodily harm to a person who he or she knows or has reason to know is or was a
grand or petit juror, and by reason of any verdict or indictment assented to by the
person, for a reason related to the person’s service as a juror, without the consent of
the person injured harmed or threatened, is guilty of a Class H felony.
SECTION 15. 940.202 (1) and (3) of the statutes are created to read:
940.202 (1) In this section:
(a) “Family member” means a spouse, child, stepchild, foster child, parent,
sibling, or grandchild.
(b) “Juror” means a person who is or was a grand or petit juror or is a 2025 - 2026 Legislature
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SECTION 15
prospective grand or petit juror who has received a summons to appear for jury
service.
(3) Whoever intentionally causes bodily harm or threatens to cause bodily
harm to a person who he or she knows or has reason to know is a family member of
a juror, for a reason related to the juror’s service as a juror, without the consent of
the person harmed or threatened, is guilty of a Class H felony.
SECTION 16. 941.29 (1g) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
941.29 (1g) (a) “Violent felony” means any felony under s. 943.23 (1m), 1999
stats., s. 943.23 (1r), 1999 stats., or s. 943.23 (1g), 2021 stats., this section, or s.
940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.06, 940.08, 940.09, 940.10, 940.19, 940.195,
940.198, 940.20, 940.201, 940.202, 940.203, 940.204, 940.21, 940.225, 940.23,
940.235, 940.285 (2), 940.29, 940.295 (3), 940.30, 940.302, 940.305, 940.31, 940.43
(1) to (3), 940.45 (1) to (3), 941.20, 941.26, 941.28, 941.2905, 941.292, 941.30,
941.327 (2) (b) 3. or 4., 943.02, 943.04, 943.06, 943.10 (2), 943.231 (1), 943.32,
943.87, 946.43, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03, 948.04, 948.05, 948.051, 948.06,
948.07, 948.08, 948.085, or 948.30.
SECTION 17. 941.291 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
941.291 (1) (b) “Violent felony” means any felony, or the solicitation,
conspiracy, or attempt to commit any felony, under s. 943.23 (1m) or (1r), 1999
stats., or s. 943.23 (1g), 2021 stats., or s. 940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.06,
940.08, 940.09, 940.10, 940.19, 940.195, 940.198, 940.20, 940.201, 940.202,
940.203, 940.204, 940.21, 940.225, 940.23, 940.285 (2), 940.29, 940.295 (3), 940.30,
940.305, 940.31, 940.43 (1) to (3), 940.45 (1) to (3), 941.20, 941.26, 941.28, 941.29, 2025 - 2026 Legislature
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SECTION 17
941.30, 941.327, 943.01 (2) (c), 943.011, 943.013, 943.02, 943.04, 943.06, 943.10 (2),
943.231 (1), 943.32, 943.81, 943.82, 943.83, 943.85, 943.86, 943.87, 943.88, 943.89,
943.90, 946.43, 947.015, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03, 948.04, 948.05, 948.06,
948.07, 948.08, 948.085, or 948.30; or, if the victim is a financial institution, as
defined in s. 943.80 (2), a felony, or the solicitation, conspiracy, or attempt to commit
a felony under s. 943.84 (1) or (2).
SECTION 18. 941.38 (1) (b) 5s. of the statutes is created to read:
941.38 (1) (b) 5s. Battery or threat to a juror or the family member of a juror,
as prohibited in s. 940.202.
SECTION 19. 941.39 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
941.39 (title) Victim, witness, juror, or co-actor contact.
SECTION 20. 946.82 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
946.82 (4) “Racketeering activity” means any activity specified in 18 USC
1961 (1) in effect as of April 27, 1982, or the attempt, conspiracy to commit, or
commission of any of the felonies specified in: chs. 945 and 961, subch. V of ch. 551,
and ss. 49.49, 134.05, 139.44 (1), (2m), and (8), 180.0129, 181.0129, 185.825, 201.09
(2), 215.12, 221.0625, 221.0636, 221.0637, 221.1004, 553.41 (3) and (4), 553.52 (2),
940.01, 940.19 (4) to (6), 940.20, 940.201, 940.202, 940.203, 940.21, 940.30, 940.302
(2), 940.305, 940.31, 941.20 (2) and (3), 941.26, 941.28, 941.298, 941.31, 941.32,
942.09, 943.01 (2), (2d), or (2g), 943.011, 943.012, 943.013, 943.02, 943.03, 943.04,
943.05, 943.06, 943.10, 943.20 (3) (bf) to (e), 943.201, 943.203, 943.23 (2) and (3),
943.231 (1), 943.24 (2), 943.27, 943.28, 943.30, 943.32, 943.34 (1) (bf), (bm), and (c),
943.38, 943.39, 943.40, 943.41 (8) (b) and (c), 943.50 (4) (bf), (bm), and (c) and (4m), 2025 - 2026 Legislature
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SECTION 20
943.60, 943.70, 943.76, 943.81, 943.82, 943.825, 943.83, 943.84, 943.85, 943.86,
943.87, 943.88, 943.89, 943.90, 944.21 (5) (c) and (e), 944.32, 944.34, 945.03 (1m),
945.04 (1m), 945.05 (1), 945.08, 946.10, 946.11, 946.12, 946.13, 946.31, 946.32 (1),
946.48, 946.49, 946.61, 946.64, 946.65, 946.72, 946.76, 946.79, 947.015, 948.05,
948.051, 948.08, 948.12, 948.125, and 948.30.
SECTION 21. 949.03 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
949.03 (2) The commission or the attempt to commit any crime specified in s.
346.62 (4), 346.63 (2) or (6), 940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.06, 940.07, 940.08,
940.09, 940.10, 940.19, 940.198, 940.20, 940.201, 940.202, 940.204, 940.21, 940.22
(2), 940.225, 940.23, 940.235, 940.24, 940.25, 940.285, 940.29, 940.30, 940.302 (2),
940.305, 940.31, 940.32, 941.327, 942.09, 943.02, 943.03, 943.04, 943.10, 943.20,
943.231 (1), 943.32, 943.81, 943.86, 943.87, 948.02, 948.025, 948.03, 948.04, 948.05,
948.051, 948.06, 948.07, 948.075, 948.08, 948.085, 948.09, 948.095, 948.20, 948.21
(1), 948.30, or 948.51.
SECTION 22. 968.26 (1b) (a) 2. a. of the statutes is amended to read:
968.26 (1b) (a) 2. a. Section 940.04, 940.11, 940.19 (2), (4), (5), or (6), 940.195
(2), (4), (5), or (6), 940.198 (2) (b) or (c) or (3), 940.20, 940.201, 940.202, 940.203,
940.204, 940.205, 940.207, 940.208, 940.22 (2), 940.225 (3), 940.29, 940.302 (2) (c),
940.32, 941.32, 941.38 (2), 942.09 (2), 943.10, 943.205, 943.32 (1), 946.43, 946.44,
946.47, 946.48, 948.02 (3), 948.03 (2) (b) or (c), (3), or (4), 948.04, 948.055, 948.095,
948.10 (1) (a), 948.11, 948.13 (2) (a), 948.14, 948.20, 948.23 (1), (2), or (3) (c) 2. or 3.,
or 948.30 (1).
SECTION 23. 969.08 (10) (b) of the statutes is amended to read: 2025 - 2026 Legislature
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SECTION 23
969.08 (10) (b) “Serious crime” means any crime specified in s. 943.23 (1m),
1999 stats., s. 943.23 (1r), 1999 stats., or s. 943.23 (1g), 2021 stats., or s. 346.62 (4),
940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.06, 940.08, 940.09, 940.10, 940.19 (5), 940.195
(5), 940.198 (2) (a) or (c), 940.20, 940.201, 940.202, 940.203, 940.204, 940.21,
940.225 (1) to (3), 940.23, 940.24, 940.25, 940.29, 940.295 (3) (b) 1g., 1m., 1r., 2. or
3., 940.302 (2), 940.31, 941.20 (2) or (3), 941.26, 941.30, 941.327, 943.01 (2) (c),
943.011, 943.013, 943.02, 943.03, 943.04, 943.06, 943.10, 943.231 (1), 943.30,
943.32, 943.81, 943.82, 943.825, 943.83, 943.85, 943.86, 943.87, 943.88, 943.89,
943.90, 946.01, 946.02, 946.43, 947.015, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03, 948.04,
948.05, 948.051, 948.06, 948.07, 948.085, or 948.30 or, if the victim is a financial
institution, as defined in s. 943.80 (2), a crime under s. 943.84 (1) or (2).
SECTION 24. 973.049 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
973.049 (2) When a court imposes a sentence on an individual or places an
individual on probation for the conviction of a crime, the court may prohibit the
individual from contacting victims of, witnesses to, jurors who served at any
proceeding relating to, or co-actors in, a crime considered at sentencing during any
part of the individual’s sentence or period of probation if the court determines that
the prohibition would be in the interest of public protection. For purposes of the
prohibition, the court may determine who are the victims of or witnesses to any
crime considered at sentencing.
SECTION 25. 973.123 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
973.123 (1) In this section, “violent felony” means any felony under s. 943.23
(1m), 1999 stats., s. 943.23 (1r), 1999 stats., or s. 943.23 (1g), 2021 stats., or s. 2025 - 2026 Legislature
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SECTION 25
940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.06, 940.08, 940.09, 940.10, 940.19, 940.195,
940.198, 940.20, 940.201, 940.202, 940.203, 940.204, 940.21, 940.225, 940.23,
940.235, 940.285 (2), 940.29, 940.295 (3), 940.30, 940.302, 940.305, 940.31, 940.43
(1) to (3), 940.45 (1) to (3), 941.20, 941.26, 941.28, 941.29, 941.292, 941.30, 941.327
(2) (b) 3. or 4., 943.02, 943.04, 943.06, 943.10 (2), 943.231 (1), 943.32, 943.87,
946.43, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03, 948.04, 948.05, 948.051, 948.06, 948.07,
948.08, 948.085, or 948.30.
(END)