MADISON…The Wisconsin State Assembly approved a comprehensive package of bills aimed at improving safety in Wisconsin. The bills include increasing transparency in our judicial system and boosting accountability. Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August (R-Walworth) emphasized Republicans continue to put the safety of the public first.
“Unlike many Democrats, Republicans are focused on prioritizing public safety over the rights of criminals,” said August. “Cracking down on crime shouldn’t be a partisan issue, but in Madison, it has increasingly become so.”
Specifically, the Republican package of bills include the following measures:
- K9 Riggs Act – Increases penalties for causing injury to law enforcement animals. The bill is named after Kenosha County Sheriff Department K9 Riggs, who was shot by a criminal. Riggs survived and is now enjoying his well-deserved retirement.
- Prosecution Reform – Requires approval from the court before prosecutors can dismiss serious charges.
- Parental Notification – Ensures parents are promptly notified of sexual misconduct in school.
- Criminal Case Database – Creates a new database of crimes in Wisconsin that will provide needed transparency for our judicial system so soft-on-crime judges can be held accountable by the public.
- Reckless Driving Crackdown – Allows for the impoundment of vehicles used in reckless driving offenses.
- Parole Revocation – Revokes extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a new crime.
- Child Trafficking Penalties – Imposes life imprisonment for the crime of trafficking multiple children and requires restitution be paid to the victims.
- Theft Crimes – Increases the penalties for certain retail theft crimes.
- School Resource Officers – Ensures these officers are put back into Milwaukee Schools.
“From cracking down on child trafficking to getting School Resource Officers back in schools, this legislation protects our children,” said August. “We also are increasing transparency by holding soft-on-crime judges and prosecutors accountable, while ensuring parents are notified of certain crimes in schools.”
The package of bills passed the full Assembly and will now go to the Senate for their consideration.
