CONTACT: Rep. Patrick Snyder (608) 266-0654

Rep. Snyder testifies in favor of his recently introduced bill

MADISON… Today, Representative Patrick Snyder (Schofield) and members of the Wausau Metro Strong organization testified before the Assembly Committee on Family Law. The committee held a public hearing on Assembly Bill 825, commonly referred to as Sara’s Law. Rep. Snyder released the following statement after the public hearing:

“The proposal heard today is a direct response to the March 22, 2017 tragedy that had a devastating impact on our community,” said Snyder. “On this day, four innocent individuals lost their lives in three separate but connected shootings- Dianne Look, Karen Barclay, Detective Jason Weiland, and Sara Quirt Sann. We always and forever remember all four victims, but today we specifically honored Sara.”

Assembly Bill 825 makes it a Class H felony to intentionally cause bodily harm or threaten to cause bodily harm to a guardian ad litem, corporation counsel, or an attorney when they are acting in their official capacity in proceedings relating to family law. Similar protections are in place for judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers.

“As a society, we should recognize the volatile situations corporation counsel, guardians ad litem, and attorneys, like Sara, often find themselves in,” said Snyder. “It is important we provide them with the necessary protections to make them feel safe in the workplace.”

Joining Rep. Snyder in testimony were Sara’s husband, Scott Sann, and Jessica Tlusty and Michael Dirks, who were Sara’s colleagues. Assembly Bill 825 has bipartisan support in both chambers of the Wisconsin Legislature.

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