MADISON, WI…Bipartisan legislation authored by Senator André Jacque (New Franken) to provide critical services to victims of human trafficking unanimously passed the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety today, and now moves to the full Senate for a vote.
In 2023, the Wisconsin Human Trafficking Task Force explored the prevalence of trafficking cases in our state, which included testimony from law enforcement, prosecutors, state agencies, and nonprofit and faith-based organization working directly with victims. Based on recommendations from the task force, Senate Bill 838 was introduced to provide $2.5 million biennium grant funding program to assist nonprofits who aid victims of human trafficking.
“Sustained support, and not short-term fixes, helps survivors rebuild stable lives,” said Jacque. “These funds will go toward nonprofit groups already providing essential services for human trafficking victims, such as direct advocacy, safety planning, housing assistance, medical and behavioral health care, and employment services, all of which are critical to restoring safety and dignity to survivors.”
Those groups who qualify for the grants must raise matching funds of 50% of the amount received. Representative Jerry O’Connor (Fond Du Lac) is the lead author in the Assembly.
Senate Bill 884, bipartisan legislation authored by Senator Jacque to modernize how Wisconsin handles the testimony of minors in a court setting, also unanimously passed the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.
In child abuse and similar cases, audiovisual recordings of the statements of minors are often used to capture the victim’s immediate account in a way that reduces additional trauma, and can later be submitted as testimony in court.
Drafted at the request of Brown County District Attorney David Lasee, SB 884 adjusts the age thresholds for the admissibility of recorded audiovisual statements made by children. This bill maintains existing law which allows a child under 12 to record a statement that can later be used in court. It permits the courts, when the interest of justice warrant, to admit statements made before a child’s 18th birthday, instead of the current threshold of 16.
“This change reflects the modern understanding of adolescent development while preserving due process and judicial discretion,” said Jacque. “It ensures that reliable evidence is not excluded solely because of an outdated age threshold, and reduces the likelihood victims will be forced to relive traumatic experiences and recall precise details years later.”
Representative Ben Franklin (De Pere) is the lead author of SB 884 in the Assembly. Law enforcement and victim rights groups, such as the Wisconsin District Attorneys Association, Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Badger State Sheriffs’ Association, and the Wisconsin State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police are formally supporting the legislation.
Senator André Jacque represents Northeast Wisconsin’s First Senate District, consisting of Door and Kewaunee Counties and portions of Brown, Calumet, Manitowoc, and Outagamie counties.
