MADISON, WI – As the Wisconsin State Assembly enters what will likely be the last week of the legislative session, the Democratic members of the Task Force on Protecting Kids are once again calling for a vote on legislation to protect child welfare. The task force’s three Democratic members—Vice Chair Representative Alex Joers (D-Waunakee), Representative Jill Billings (D-La Crosse), and Representative Renuka Mayadev (D-Madison)—released the following joint statement:
“We urge Speaker Vos to schedule a vote on Assembly Bills 957, 958, and 964 before he adjourns this legislative session. These three bills passed out of committee with near-unanimous, bipartisan support, and will support the crucial work of the Department of Justice as their Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force works to combat cyber-crimes committed against Wisconsin’s children.
“Assembly Bills 957, 958, and 964 support law enforcement by granting ICAC subpoena authority while investigating cases of sexual extortion, and authorizing four new full-time positions, including two criminal analysts, an outreach specialist, and a digital evidence examiner. We sincerely appreciate the collaboration and input from ICAC leaders and Wisconsin’s Attorney General Josh Kaul, whose input was vital in drafting this legislation.
“The Assembly must address the urgent threats facing children online before adjourning for the remainder of the biennium. The rise in cases of crimes against children demands a swift and serious response from state government; we call upon Speaker Vos to work with this bipartisan task force to keep Wisconsin’s children safe online.”