MADISON, WI…Senate Bill 413, legislation to grant additional rights to sexual assault victims, was signed into law by Governor Tony Evers today as 2025 Act 90. The new law includes a provision which extends the statute of limitations for second degree sexual assault crimes from 10 to 20 years.
As a co-author of the new law, Senator André Jacque (New Franken) had originally proposed changing the statute of limitations for second degree sexual assault back in 2019 as Senate Bill 686, and has re-introduced this proposal multiple sessions. 2021 Senate Bill 787 previously had passed the Senate on a voice vote.
Changing the statute of limitations is warranted, as advancements in technology have yielded new forms of evidence from when statutes of limitation were originally created, including DNA, cell phone video and audio recordings. These types of evidence, when properly stored, do not erode over time. Other states have eliminated their statutes of limitations or expanded, which has not proved to be an undue burden for the courts.
“For many, a delayed decision to report is the product of the very real and devastating physical and psychological effects of the crime,” said Jacque. “Making this change now will ensure more victims have the opportunity to report it to law enforcement in the future – we cannot hold back prosecutors who are ready and willing to work to achieve justice for more victims and hold perpetrators accountable.”
The bill had the support of law enforcement and domestic violence groups across the state, including RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Badger State Sheriffs’ Association, Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Association, and many others.
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.