An Act to amend 165.776 (1) (d); to create 950.04 (1v) (dm) of the statutes; Relating to: the rights of sexual assault crime victims.
Summary
AB236 would expand Wisconsin’s Bill of Rights for Victims and Witnesses by creating a specific set of rights for sexual assault victims who have provided a sexual assault kit as evidence. The bill requires that such kits be tested according to existing statutory timelines and gives victims, upon request, the right to receive information about the kit’s location, testing date, testing results, whether DNA analysis was performed, whether a DNA profile was developed, whether any comparison identified a person, and the estimated destruction date of the kit.
The bill also requires victims to be informed of changes in the status of their case, including if the case is closed or reopened. It amends the statutory definition of “sexual assault kit” to align with existing law and adds a new victim-rights provision in chapter 950, making these disclosures part of the state’s formal victims’ rights framework.
Impact
AB236 would primarily affect Wisconsin statutes governing victim rights and sexual assault evidence handling, especially ss. 165.776 and 950.04. It would not create a new criminal offense, but it would impose additional notification and transparency obligations on law enforcement and other entities handling sexual assault kits, and it would strengthen victims’ access to information about evidence processing, DNA testing, and case status.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded votes, so there is no detailed public debate to characterize. Based on the bill’s subject matter and its bipartisan-style sponsorship list, the measure appears to have been framed as a victim-centered transparency and accountability bill, with an overall supportive policy posture. However, the bill ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential areas of debate, based on the bill text, could include the administrative burden of providing timely updates, the handling of sensitive forensic information, and the feasibility of meeting testing and notification timelines. The bill’s supporters appear to be the named sponsors advocating for stronger rights for sexual assault survivors, while any opposition is not identified in the record provided.