LRB-0873/1
RLR:jld:rs
2001 - 2002 LEGISLATURE
March 8, 2001 - Introduced by Representatives Schneider and Ryba, cosponsored
by Senators Darling and Schultz. Referred to Committee on Criminal
Justice.
AB178,1,2
1An Act to amend 943.70 (2) (b) 3. and 943.70 (2) (b) 4. of the statutes;
relating
2to: computer crimes and providing a penalty.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law no person may willfully, knowingly and without
authorization modify, destroy, copy, take possession of, or access computer data,
computer programs, or supporting documentation of a computer system. A person
who violates this prohibition is generally guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. However,
if the violation occurs under certain circumstances, the person may face higher
penalties. Specifically, if the person committed the violation in order to defraud
another or obtain the property of another he or she is guilty of a Class E felony. If
the violation causes more than $2,500 of damage or if it causes an interruption or
impairment of governmental operations, public communication, transportation, or
a supply of water, gas, or other public service, the person is guilty of a Class D felony.
Finally, if the violation creates a substantial and unreasonable risk of death or great
bodily harm to another, the person is guilty of a Class C felony.
This bill increases the penalties for violating this prohibition under certain
circumstances. Specifically, the bill provides that a person is guilty of a Class A
felony if the violation does either of the following: 1) causes an interruption or
impairment of governmental operations, public communication, transportation, or
a supply of water, gas, or other public service; or 2) creates a substantial and
unreasonable risk of death or great bodily harm to another.
The penalties for the crimes mentioned above are as follows:
-
See PDF for table 
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB178, s. 1
1Section
1. 943.70 (2) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB178,2,42
943.70
(2) (b) 3. A Class D felony if the damage is greater than $2,500
or if it
3causes an interruption or impairment of governmental operations or public
4communication, of transportation or of a supply of water, gas or other public service.
AB178, s. 2
5Section
2. 943.70 (2) (b) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB178,2,96
943.70
(2) (b) 4. A Class
C A felony if the offense creates a substantial and
7unreasonable risk of death or great bodily harm to another
or causes an interruption
8or impairment of governmental operations or public communication, of
9transportation or of a supply of water, gas, or other public service.
AB178,2,1211
(1) This act first applies to offenses committed on the effective date of this
12subsection.
