To create section 1m of article I of the constitution; Relating to: the right to privacy (first consideration).
Summary
SJR131 proposes a constitutional amendment to add a new section to Article I of the Wisconsin Constitution stating that the people have an individual and fundamental right to privacy. The resolution frames privacy as “a necessary part of a free society” and would place that right directly in the state constitution if ultimately approved through the required constitutional amendment process.
Because it is a joint resolution for a constitutional amendment, the proposal does not itself change statutory law immediately. Instead, it would need approval by two successive legislatures and then ratification by the voters before becoming effective. The resolution also includes a standard numbering provision to address any future conflict if another ratified amendment creates the same section number.
Impact
If adopted through the full constitutional amendment process, SJR131 would add an express privacy right to the Wisconsin Constitution, potentially affecting how state laws are interpreted and challenged in areas involving personal autonomy, data privacy, surveillance, reproductive rights, medical decision-making, and other privacy-related issues. At this stage, however, the resolution has no direct effect on existing statutes or agency rules because it was not enacted into law and instead failed to adopt pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been introduced with strong support from a broad coalition of Democratic senators and representatives, suggesting favorable sentiment among its sponsors and cosponsors. The absence of committee transcripts or recorded votes limits insight into broader legislative debate, but the proposal’s framing as a fundamental privacy right indicates a generally supportive, rights-based rationale among its backers. Its final status shows it did not advance to adoption in this legislative session.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the scope and consequences of creating an explicit constitutional privacy right. Supporters would view it as a safeguard for individual liberty, while opponents may be concerned that the language is broad and could be used to expand constitutional protections in contested policy areas such as abortion, health care decisions, digital privacy, or government regulation. Because there were no committee transcripts or votes provided, specific objections or named opponents are not available from the record.