MADISON – State Representative Amanda Nedweski (R–Pleasant Prairie)issued the following statement after two significant pieces of legislation that she authored with Senator Jesse James (R-Thorp) and Senator Romaine Quinn (R-Birchwood) were signed into law this morning.
“After nearly two years of working to strengthen protections for children in Wisconsin, I’m grateful to see these two important bills signed into law,” said Rep. Nedweski. “This is a major step forward in protecting kids, supporting victims, and ensuring that those who prey on children are held accountable.”
Assembly Bill 677 establishes a criminal definition of child grooming and imposes strict felony penalties on predators who target minors. The bill passed the Legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support in both the Assembly and Senate, with only six Democrats voting against it—including Democrat gubernatorial front-runner Francesca Hong. Rep. Angelina Cruz, the head of the Racine Unified teacher’s union, also opposed the bill.
Senate Bill 673 also passed with strong bipartisan support and requires all schools in Wisconsin to establish clear policies and training governing appropriate communication between staff and students.
“These bills came together through our bipartisan collaboration with law enforcement, prosecutors, and victim advocates with a shared commitment to keeping kids safe,” Nedweski said. “I’m grateful to my legislative colleagues and the many parents, advocates, and survivors who spoke up and helped move these reforms forward.”
Nedweski noted that her office first learned the bills had been signed through a 9:46 a.m. email from Amanda Butterfield, Governor Evers’s Legislative Affairs Assistant, rather than through advance notice from the Governor’s office.
“While I’m thrilled that these important protections are now law, it would have been meaningful for the bill authors to be notified ahead of the signing so we could properly recognize the bipartisan efforts behind this legislation,” Nedweski added. “Unfortunately, the decision to quietly release news of the bill signing as part of a Friday news dump limited the opportunity to make the public aware of this important step forward in protecting Wisconsin’s children. Under Act 88, predators can now get up to 25 years in jail for grooming a child for sexual activity. These strong deterrents will keep kids safe and put predators behind bars.”
Rep. Nedweski represents the 32nd Assembly District, which includes the Town and Village of Bloomfield, Village of Bristol, Town of Brighton, Village of Genoa City, portions of Kenosha, portions of Lake Geneva, Village of Paddock Lake, Town of Paris, Village of Pleasant Prairie, Town of Randall, Village of Salem Lakes, Village of Twin Lakes, and the Town of Wheatland.