Wisconsin Senate Bill SB844

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/15/26
• Refer: 1/15/26
• Failed: 3/23/26

Caption

An Act to amend subchapter II (title) of chapter 949 [precedes 949.20], 949.20 (1), 949.20 (3), 949.20 (9), 949.24 (1), 949.24 (3), 949.26 (1) and 949.26 (3); to create 20.455 (5) (dm), 165.934, 949.20 (2L) and 949.20 (3d) of the statutes; Relating to: forensic examinations done on a crime victim to gather evidence, modifying administrative rules relating to reimbursement for forensic examinations, and making an appropriation. (FE)

Summary

SB844 would expand Wisconsin’s forensic exam reimbursement system beyond sexual assault cases to also cover examinations done to gather evidence in cases involving alleged domestic abuse or strangulation. Under the bill, the Department of Justice (DOJ) would be required to reimburse health care providers for these exams regardless of whether the victim cooperates with law enforcement, and the bill would update statutory definitions so that “victim,” “domestic abuse,” and “examination to gather evidence” include these additional offense types. The bill also creates a new DOJ grant program for health care facilities that add or support providers who perform these examinations. Eligible facilities could receive grants to create a new position or establish recruitment, retention, or training programs for providers who conduct evidence-gathering exams in domestic abuse or strangulation cases, with a goal of increasing provider availability across counties. In addition, the bill increases the maximum administrative-rule reimbursement for eligible exams to $3,000 and includes funding and staffing changes to support training and grant administration.

Impact

SB844 would amend chapter 949 of the Wisconsin statutes, which currently governs sexual assault forensic examination compensation, to broaden coverage to certain domestic violence and strangulation-related evidence-gathering exams. It would also create a new grant authority in s. 165.934 and a corresponding appropriation in the DOJ budget, add a new DOJ administrative position for grant administration, and increase funding for training health care providers. The bill would affect the Department of Justice, health care facilities, and health care providers who perform forensic or evidence-gathering examinations, while also expanding the categories of victims and offenses eligible for reimbursement.

Sentiment

The bill appears generally supportive of victim services and provider capacity, with a policy focus on improving access to forensic examinations and strengthening the health care workforce that performs them. Because no committee transcript or recorded vote details are provided, there is no documented floor or committee debate in the supplied materials. The bill ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1, indicating it did not become law despite its supportive framing.

Contention

The main policy issues embedded in the bill are the expansion of state reimbursement and grant funding to cover domestic abuse and strangulation cases, and the associated state fiscal commitment. Potential points of contention include whether DOJ should be required to pay for these examinations regardless of law enforcement cooperation, whether the expanded scope should be housed within the existing sexual assault compensation framework, and the size of the new appropriations and staffing increases. The bill’s supporters are the listed bipartisan sponsors and cosponsors, while any opposition would likely center on fiscal cost, program expansion, or administrative burden, though no specific opposing arguments are included in the provided record.