Wisconsin Senate Bill SB954

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/26
• Refer: 2/6/26
• Report Pass: 3/12/26
• Failed: 3/23/26

Caption

An Act to create 165.503 of the statutes; Relating to: requiring the Department of Justice to conduct a public awareness campaign. (FE)

Summary

SB954 would require the Wisconsin Department of Justice to create and run a children’s online digital safety awareness campaign. The campaign’s purpose is to educate the public about the risks children can face online and to share information on how to reduce exposure to harmful internet content. DOJ would be expected to use a mix of digital outreach tools, including its website, social media, and digital newsletters, and could also use print materials if available. The bill also requires DOJ to make any campaign materials available free of charge to schools upon request. In effect, it creates a new statutory duty for the department to develop and distribute educational content focused on internet safety for children. The bill creates section 165.503 of the Wisconsin Statutes and is framed as a public awareness measure rather than a regulatory or enforcement bill.

Impact

SB954 would add a new statutory section directing the Department of Justice to conduct a statewide children’s digital safety awareness campaign. It would not create new criminal penalties or change substantive internet crime laws, but it would expand DOJ’s responsibilities in the area of child online safety education and outreach. Schools would gain a right to request and receive campaign materials at no cost, which could support classroom or parent-facing internet safety efforts.

Sentiment

The available record shows little direct debate or recorded voting activity, but the bill’s framing suggests a generally protective, child-safety-oriented purpose. Its focus on preventing exposure to harmful online content and providing educational materials to schools is likely to be viewed favorably by supporters of child welfare and internet safety initiatives. The bill ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1, indicating that it did not advance through the legislative process despite its public-awareness focus.

Contention

No committee transcript or vote record is available here, so specific objections are not documented. Potential points of contention could include whether the Department of Justice should be assigned an education/outreach role, whether the campaign would require new resources or staff, and whether the state should be responsible for producing and distributing these materials. Any opposition would likely center on implementation costs, agency workload, or questions about the effectiveness of a public-awareness campaign compared with other approaches to online child protection.