Gov. Evers Calls Special Session on Policing Accountability and Transparency; Legislature Responds
Date Wed, Sep. 9, 2020 - 10:08am By Hamilton
In response of the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, on August 24, Gov. Evers called a special session of the legislature to address policing accountability and transparency to begin on August 31, 2020. The Senate and the Assembly gaveled in for the special session but met in “skeletal session,” meaning they did not actually […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Rejects ACLU Coronavirus Lawsuit
Date Mon, Apr. 27, 2020 - 11:32am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has denied the petition of American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin (ACLU) seeking removal of inmates from Wisconsin correctional facilities to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawsuit had argued that Wisconsin prisoners and jail inmates should be released because subjecting prisoners to a likely outbreak of COVID-19 violates the rights to […]
Signed by Governor: Benefits for Families of Fallen Officers
Date Fri, Oct. 25, 2019 - 9:55am By Hamilton
On Oct. 16, Gov. Tony Evers signed into law a bill that will provide health insurance benefits to families of fallen officers. The bill (SB 266/AB 300) was enacted as 2019 Act 19. Act 19 would require any government entity and Marquette University to provide health insurance benefits to the widowed spouse and/or children after a […]
Benefits for Families of Fallen Officers Scheduled for Senate, Assembly Votes
Date Mon, Oct. 7, 2019 - 3:32pm By Hamilton
The Senate plans to vote on Tuesday, Oct. 8, on legislation (SB 266/AB 300) which would require any government entity and Marquette University to provide health insurance benefits to the widowed spouse and/or children after a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty. The Assembly has also scheduled a vote on the […]
Bills of Note: Protective Status for County Jailers
Date Fri, Mar. 22, 2019 - 8:15am By Hamilton
This week, the Assembly Committee on Corrections and the Senate Committee on Judiciary & Public Safety held public hearings on AB 5/SB 5, which would provide protective status to county jailers statewide. The bill, which has received bipartisan support, authored by Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) and Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green), would provide jailers […]
Bills of Note: Marsy’s Law
Date Thu, Jan. 10, 2019 - 3:22pm By Hamilton
On Jan. 9, the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety and the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety held a joint hearing on a bill that would elevate victims’ rights under Wisconsin law. Assembly Joint Resolution 1 and Senate Joint Resolution 2, authored by Rep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) and Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine), […]
Study Committee on Body Cameras Discusses First Draft of Bill
Date Thu, Nov. 1, 2018 - 2:46pm By Hamilton
The Study Committee on the Use of Police Body Cameras met for what was expected to be the last time on Oct. 18. However, because of concerns with the current bill draft, it was determined that the committee will need to meet one final time. The first part of the meeting was spent reviewing the […]
Study Committee on Bail & Conditions of Pretrial Release Discusses Risk Assessments Data, Draft Ideas
Date Thu, Nov. 1, 2018 - 2:43pm By Hamilton
The Study Committee on Bail & Conditions of Pretrial Release had their third meeting on Oct. 16. The committee heard from two presenters and began to develop ideas for potential draft legislation updating Wisconsin’s pretrial detention processes. First, the Wisconsin Department of Justice gave a presentation on using data, research, and information for informed pretrial […]
Study Committee Update: Body Cameras Committee Discusses Retention of Records, Privacy Issues
Date Fri, Sep. 14, 2018 - 9:49am By Hamilton
The Study Committee on the Use of Police Body Cameras met for the second time on Sept. 13. The focus of the meeting was to receive some additional presentations and spend time discussing the committee’s assignment and next steps. The meeting began with a presentation from the Milwaukee Police Department. Sergeant Doug Wiorek outlined the […]
Study Committee on Bail and Pretrial Release Meets
Date Thu, Aug. 23, 2018 - 1:54pm By Hamilton
The Study Committee on Bail and Conditions of Pretrial Release met for the first time on Aug. 16, 2018. The committee, chaired by Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) and Sen. Fred Risser (D-Madison), is tasked with reviewing the state’s pretrial release system. Committee members include legislators and various members from the criminal justice system including the […]