AB971: Bill Text

2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE

2023 Assembly BILL 971

January 18, 2024 - Introduced by Representatives Emerson, O'Connor, Conley, C. Anderson, J. Anderson, Billings, Dittrich, Drake, Edming, Gundrum, Hurd, Joers, Kitchens, Krug, Maxey, Moore Omokunde, Murphy, Mursau, Ohnstad, Ratcliff, Schraa, Shankland, Stubbs and Subeck, cosponsored by Senators L. Johnson, Carpenter, Roys, Spreitzer, Taylor and Wirch. Referred to Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety.

AB971,1,11 An Act to amend 48.371 (3) (d), 103.10 (1m) (b) 6., 103.34 (1) (b) 2., 165.505 (1) (am), 165.68 (1) (a) 5., 165.84 (7) (ab) 1., 178.09031 (5), 178.10101 (1) (g), 179.0811 (1) (e), 179.10101 (1) (g), 180.1420 (6), 180.1530 (1) (g), 181.1420 (7), 181.1530 (1) (g), 183.0708 (1) (e), 183.09101 (1) (g), 250.04 (14) (a), 301.45 (1d) (b), 440.312 (2), 440.982 (2), 905.045 (1) (a), 939.46 (1m), 939.615 (1) (b) 1., 939.632 (1) (e) 1., 940.302 (2) (a) (intro.), 941.29 (1g) (a), 946.82 (4), 949.03 (2), 950.045 (1) (a), 950.045 (2) (a), 969.001 (3) (a), 969.08 (10) (b), 970.03 (4) (a), 971.31 (11), 972.11 (2) (b) (intro.), 973.015 (2m) (a), 973.075 (1) (b) 3., 973.075 (2) (intro.) and 973.123 (1); and to create 940.303 of the statutes; relating to: human trafficking of adults at risk for the purpose of commercial sex acts and providing a penalty.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law it is a Class D felony to traffick an adult for the purpose of commercial sex acts and it is a Class C felony to traffick a child for the purpose of commercial sex acts. This bill increases the felony classification to a Class C felony for trafficking an adult for the purpose of commercial sex acts if the adult is an adult at risk. Under the bill, an “adult at risk” is defined as an adult who has a physical or mental condition that substantially impairs his or her ability to care for his or her needs and who has experienced, is currently experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation.

Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB971,1 Section 1. 48.371 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,2,10 48.371 (3) (d) Any involvement of the child, whether as victim or perpetrator, in sexual intercourse or sexual contact in violation of s. 940.225, 948.02, 948.025, or 948.085, prostitution in violation of s. 944.30 (1m), trafficking in violation of s. 940.302 (2) if s. 940.302 (2) (a) 1. b. applies or in violation of s. 940.303, sexual exploitation of a child in violation of s. 948.05, trafficking of a child in violation of s. 948.051, or causing a child to view or listen to sexual activity in violation of s. 948.055, if the information is necessary for the care of the child or for the protection of any person living in the foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth or in the home of the relative.

AB971,2 Section 2. 103.10 (1m) (b) 6. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,2,15 103.10 (1m) (b) 6. “Sexual abuse" means conduct that is in violation of s. 940.225, 940.303, 944.30 (1m), 948.02, 948.025, 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.085, 948.09, or 948.10 or that is in violation of s. 940.302 (2) if s. 940.302 (2) (a) 1. b. applies.

AB971,3 Section 3. 103.34 (1) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,3,6 103.34 (1) (b) 2. A violation of s. 940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.06, 940.07, 940.08, 940.09, 940.10, 940.19 (2), (4), (5), or (6), 940.198 (2), 940.21, 940.225 (1), (2), or (3), 940.23, 940.235, 940.24, 940.25, 940.30, 940.302, 940.303, 940.305, 940.31, 943.02, 943.03, 943.04, 943.10, 943.30, 943.31, 943.32, 944.32, 944.34, 946.10, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2), (3), or (5) (a) 1., 2., 3., or 4., 948.04, 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07, 948.075, 948.08, 948.085, 948.11 (2) (a) or (am), 948.12, 948.13, 948.21 (2), 948.215, or 948.30 or of a substantially similar federal law or law of another state.

AB971,4 Section 4. 165.505 (1) (am) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,3,10 165.505 (1) (am) “Human trafficking crime” means the commission of, or the solicitation, conspiracy, or attempt to commit, a violation of s. 940.302, 940.303, or 948.051.

AB971,5 Section 5 . 165.68 (1) (a) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,3,12 165.68 (1) (a) 5. Trafficking under s. 940.302 or 940.303.

AB971,6 Section 6. 165.84 (7) (ab) 1. of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act 10, is amended to read:

AB971,3,20 165.84 (7) (ab) 1. A felony violation of s. 940.01, 940.05, 940.198 (2), 940.21, 940.225 (1), (2), or (3), 940.235, 940.30, 940.302 (2), 940.303, 940.305, 940.31, 940.32 (2), (2e), or (2m), 940.43, 940.45, 941.20, 941.21, 941.327, 943.02, 943.06, 943.10, 943.23 (2), 943.231 (1), 943.32, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2) (a) or (c) or (5) (a) 1., 2., 3., or 4., 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.07, 948.08, 948.085, 948.095, or 948.30 (2).

AB971,7 Section 7. 178.09031 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,3,23 178.09031 (5) The partnership violates s. 940.302 (2), 940.303 (3), or 948.051 (2).

AB971,8 Section 8. 178.10101 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,4,2 178.10101 (1) (g) The foreign limited liability partnership violates s. 940.302 (2), 940.302 (3), or 948.051 (2).

AB971,9 Section 9. 179.0811 (1) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,4,5 179.0811 (1) (e) The partnership violates s. 940.302 (2), 940.302 (3), or 948.051 (2).

AB971,10 Section 10. 179.10101 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,4,8 179.10101 (1) (g) The foreign limited partnership violates s. 940.302 (2), 940.303 (3), or 948.051 (2).

AB971,11 Section 11. 180.1420 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,4,10 180.1420 (6) The corporation violates s. 940.302 (2), 940.303 (3), or 948.051 (2).

AB971,12 Section 12. 180.1530 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,4,13 180.1530 (1) (g) The foreign corporation violates s. 940.302 (2), 940.303 (3), or 948.051 (2).

AB971,13 Section 13. 181.1420 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,4,16 181.1420 (7) Human trafficking. The corporation violates s. 940.302 (2), 940.303 (3), or 948.051 (2).

AB971,14 Section 14. 181.1530 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,4,19 181.1530 (1) (g) The foreign corporation violates s. 940.302 (2), 940.303 (3), or 948.051 (2).

AB971,15 Section 15. 183.0708 (1) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,4,21 183.0708 (1) (e) The company violates s. 940.302 (2), 940.303 (3), or 948.051 (2).

AB971,16 Section 16. 183.09101 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,4,24 183.09101 (1) (g) The foreign limited liability company violates s. 940.302 (2), 940.303 (3), or 948.051 (2).

AB971,17 Section 17. 250.04 (14) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,5,3 250.04 (14) (a) Subject to the availability of funds and to par. (b), the department may provide or fund emergency services or assistance to victims of s. 940.302 (2), 940.303, or 948.051.

AB971,18 Section 18. 301.45 (1d) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,5,11 301.45 (1d) (b) “Sex offense" means a violation, or the solicitation, conspiracy, or attempt to commit a violation, of s. 940.22 (2), 940.225 (1), (2) or (3), 940.303, 944.06, 944.18, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07 (1) to (4), 948.075, 948.08, 948.085, 948.095, 948.11 (2) (a) or (am), 948.12, 948.13, or 948.30, of s. 940.302 (2) if s. 940.302 (2) (a) 1. b. applies, or of s. 940.30 or 940.31 if the victim was a minor and the person who committed the violation was not the victim's parent.

AB971,19 Section 19. 440.312 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,5,17 440.312 (2) The department may not grant a license under this subchapter to any person who has been convicted of an offense under s. 940.22, 940.225, 940.302 (2) (a) 1. b., 940.303, 944.06, 944.15, 944.17, 944.30 (1m), 944.31, 944.32, 944.33, 944.34, 948.02, 948.025, 948.051, 948.06, 948.07, 948.075, 948.08, 948.081, 948.09, 948.095, 948.10, 948.11, or 948.12.

AB971,20 Section 20. 440.982 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,5,23 440.982 (2) The department may not grant a license under this subchapter to any person who has been convicted of an offense under s. 940.22, 940.225, 940.303, 944.06, 944.15, 944.17, 944.30 (1m), 944.31, 944.32, 944.33, 944.34, 948.02, 948.025, 948.051, 948.06, 948.07, 948.075, 948.08, 948.081, 948.09, 948.095, 948.10, 948.11, or 948.12 or under s. 940.302 (2) if s. 940.302 (2) (a) 1. b. applies.

AB971,21 Section 21 . 905.045 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,6,6 905.045 (1) (a) “Abusive conduct" means abuse, as defined in s. 813.122 (1) (a), of a child, as defined in s. 813.122 (1) (b), interspousal battery, as described under s. 940.19 or 940.20 (1m), domestic abuse, as defined in s. 813.12 (1) (am), sexual exploitation by a therapist under s. 940.22, sexual assault under s. 940.225, human trafficking involving a commercial sex act under s. 940.302 or 940.303, or child sexual abuse under s. 948.02, 948.025, or 948.05 to 948.11.

AB971,22 Section 22. 939.46 (1m) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,6,11 939.46 (1m) A victim of a violation of s. 940.302 (2), 940.303, or 948.051 has an affirmative defense for any offense committed as a direct result of the violation of s. 940.302 (2), 940.303. or 948.051 without regard to whether anyone was prosecuted or convicted for the violation of s. 940.302 (2), 940.303, or 948.051.

AB971,23 Section 23. 939.615 (1) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,6,17 939.615 (1) (b) 1. A violation, or the solicitation, conspiracy, or attempt to commit a violation, of s. 940.22 (2), 940.225 (1), (2), or (3), 940.303, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025 (1), 948.05 (1) or (1m), 948.051, 948.055 (1), 948.06, 948.07, 948.075, 948.08, 948.085, 948.11 (2) (a), 948.12, or 948.13 or of s. 940.302 (2) if s. 940.302 (2) (a) 1. b. applies.

AB971,24 Section 24. 939.632 (1) (e) 1. of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act 10, is amended to read:

AB971,6,25 939.632 (1) (e) 1. Any felony under s. 940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.09 (1c), 940.19 (2), (4) or (5), 940.198 (2) (a) or (c), 940.21, 940.225 (1), (2) or (3), 940.235, 940.303, 940.305, 940.31, 941.20, 941.21, 943.02, 943.06, 943.10 (2), 943.231 (1), 943.32 (2), 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2) (a) or (c) or (5) (a) 1., 2., 3., or 4., 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.07, 948.08, 948.085, or 948.30 (2) or under s. 940.302 (2) if s. 940.302 (2) (a) 1. b. applies.

AB971,25 Section 25. 940.302 (2) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,7,4 940.302 (2) (a) (intro.) Except as provided in s. 940.303 or 948.051, whoever knowingly engages in trafficking is guilty of a Class D felony if all of the following apply:

AB971,26 Section 26. 940.303 of the statutes is created to read:

AB971,7,6 940.303 Trafficking of an adult at risk. (1) In this section:

AB971,7,7 (a) “Adult at risk” has the meaning given in s. 55.01 (1e).

AB971,7,8 (b) “Commercial sex act” has the meaning given in s. 940.302 (1) (a).

AB971,7,12 (2) Whoever knowingly recruits, entices, provides, obtains, harbors, transports, patronizes, or solicits or knowingly attempts to recruit, entice, provide, obtain, harbor, transport, patronize, or solicit an adult at risk for the purpose of commercial sex acts is guilty of a Class C felony.

AB971,7,15 (3) Whoever benefits in any manner from a violation of sub. (2) is guilty of a Class C felony if the person knows that the benefits come from an act described in sub. (2).

AB971,7,20 (4) Any person who incurs an injury or death as a result of a violation of sub. (2) or (3) may bring a civil action against the person who committed the violation. In addition to actual damages, the court may award punitive damages to the injured party, not to exceed treble the amount of actual damages incurred, and reasonable attorney fees.

AB971,27 Section 27. 941.29 (1g) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act 10, is amended to read:

AB971,8,6 941.29 (1g) (a) “Violent felony" means any felony under s. 943.23 (1m), 1999 stats., s. 943.23 (1r), 1999 stats., or s. 943.23 (1g), 2021 stats., this section, or s. 940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.06, 940.08, 940.09, 940.10, 940.19, 940.195, 940.198, 940.20, 940.201, 940.203, 940.204, 940.21, 940.225, 940.23, 940.235, 940.285 (2), 940.29, 940.295 (3), 940.30, 940.302, 940.303, 940.305, 940.31, 940.43 (1) to (3), 940.45 (1) to (3), 941.20, 941.26, 941.28, 941.2905, 941.292, 941.30, 941.327 (2) (b) 3. or 4., 943.02, 943.04, 943.06, 943.10 (2), 943.231 (1), 943.32, 943.87, 946.43, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03, 948.04, 948.05, 948.051, 948.06, 948.07, 948.08, 948.085, or 948.30.

AB971,28 Section 28. 946.82 (4) of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act 73, is amended to read:

AB971,8,23 946.82 (4) “Racketeering activity" means any activity specified in 18 USC 1961 (1) in effect as of April 27, 1982, or the attempt, conspiracy to commit, or commission of any of the felonies specified in: chs. 945 and 961, subch. V of ch. 551, and ss. 49.49, 134.05, 139.44 (1), 180.0129, 181.0129, 185.825, 201.09 (2), 215.12, 221.0625, 221.0636, 221.0637, 221.1004, 553.41 (3) and (4), 553.52 (2), 940.01, 940.19 (4) to (6), 940.20, 940.201, 940.203, 940.21, 940.30, 940.302 (2), 940.303, 940.305, 940.31, 941.20 (2) and (3), 941.26, 941.28, 941.298, 941.31, 941.32, 942.09, 943.01 (2), (2d), or (2g), 943.011, 943.012, 943.013, 943.02, 943.03, 943.04, 943.05, 943.06, 943.10, 943.20 (3) (bf) to (e), 943.201, 943.203, 943.23 (2) and (3), 943.231 (1), 943.24 (2), 943.27, 943.28, 943.30, 943.32, 943.34 (1) (bf), (bm), and (c), 943.38, 943.39, 943.40, 943.41 (8) (b) and (c), 943.50 (4) (bf), (bm), and (c) and (4m), 943.60, 943.70, 943.76, 943.81, 943.82, 943.83, 943.84, 943.85, 943.86, 943.87, 943.88, 943.89, 943.90, 944.21 (5) (c) and (e), 944.32, 944.34, 945.03 (1m), 945.04 (1m), 945.05 (1), 945.08, 946.10, 946.11, 946.12, 946.13, 946.31, 946.32 (1), 946.48, 946.49, 946.61, 946.64, 946.65, 946.72, 946.76, 946.79, 947.015, 948.05, 948.051, 948.08, 948.12, and 948.30.

AB971,29 Section 29. 949.03 (2) of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act 10, is amended to read:

AB971,9,8 949.03 (2) The commission or the attempt to commit any crime specified in s. 346.62 (4), 346.63 (2) or (6), 940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.06, 940.07, 940.08, 940.09, 940.10, 940.19, 940.198, 940.20, 940.201, 940.204, 940.21, 940.22 (2), 940.225, 940.23, 940.235, 940.24, 940.25, 940.285, 940.29, 940.30, 940.302 (2), 940.303, 940.305, 940.31, 940.32, 941.327, 942.09, 943.02, 943.03, 943.04, 943.10, 943.20, 943.231 (1), 943.32, 943.81, 943.86, 943.87, 948.02, 948.025, 948.03, 948.04, 948.05, 948.051, 948.06, 948.07, 948.075, 948.08, 948.085, 948.09, 948.095, 948.20, 948.21 (1), 948.30, or 948.51.

AB971,30 Section 30 . 950.045 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,9,14 950.045 (1) (a) In addition to all rights afforded to victims under s. 950.04, an individual who is a victim of a violation of s. 940.22, 940.225, 940.302, 940.303, 948.02, 948.025, or 948.05 to 948.11 has the right to be accompanied by a victim advocate at law enforcement interviews, subject to par. (b) or (c) and except as provided in par. (c) or (d).

AB971,31 Section 31 . 950.045 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,9,22 950.045 (2) (a) In addition to all rights afforded to victims under s. 950.04, an individual who is a victim of a violation of s. 940.22, 940.225, 940.302, 940.303, 948.02, 948.025, or 948.05 to 948.11 has a right to be accompanied by a victim advocate at interviews and proceedings at which he or she is requested or allowed to attend that are related to the crime committed against him or her, including prosecution interviews, department of corrections proceedings, court proceedings, and postconviction proceedings, except as provided in s. 950.045 (1) (c) and (d).

AB971,32 Section 32. 969.001 (3) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act 10, is amended to read:

AB971,10,11 969.001 (3) (a) A crime specified under s. 940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.06, 940.07, 940.08, 940.09 (1), 940.10, 940.11, 940.12, 940.19 (1), (2), (4), (5), or (6), 940.195 (1), (2), (4), (5), or (6), 940.198 (2) or (3), 940.20, 940.201 (2), 940.203 (2), 940.204, 940.205 (2), 940.207 (2), 940.208, 940.21, 940.225 (1), (2), or (3), 940.23, 940.235, 940.24, 940.25, 940.285, 940.29, 940.30, 940.302 (2), 940.303, 940.305, 940.31, 940.32, 940.43, 940.45, 941.20, 941.21, 941.28, 941.2905, 941.292, 941.30, 941.327, 941.38 (2) or (3), 941.39, 943.01 (2) (c), 943.011, 943.013, 943.02, 943.04, 943.06, 943.10, 943.231 (1) or (2), 943.30, 943.32, 943.87, 946.43, 947.013, 947.015, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2), (3), or (5), 948.04, 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07, 948.08, 948.085, 948.095, 948.30 (2), 948.55, 951.02, 951.08, or 951.09.

AB971,33 Section 33. 969.08 (10) (b) of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act 10, is amended to read:

AB971,10,24 969.08 (10) (b) “Serious crime" means any crime specified in s. 943.23 (1m), 1999 stats., s. 943.23 (1r), 1999 stats., or s. 943.23 (1g), 2021 stats., or s. 346.62 (4), 940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.06, 940.08, 940.09, 940.10, 940.19 (5), 940.195 (5), 940.198 (2) (a) or (c), 940.20, 940.201, 940.203, 940.204, 940.21, 940.225 (1) to (3), 940.23, 940.24, 940.25, 940.29, 940.295 (3) (b) 1g., 1m., 1r., 2. or 3., 940.302 (2), 940.303, 940.31, 941.20 (2) or (3), 941.26, 941.30, 941.327, 943.01 (2) (c), 943.011, 943.013, 943.02, 943.03, 943.04, 943.06, 943.10, 943.231 (1), 943.30, 943.32, 943.81, 943.82, 943.83, 943.85, 943.86, 943.87, 943.88, 943.89, 943.90, 946.01, 946.02, 946.43, 947.015, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03, 948.04, 948.05, 948.051, 948.06, 948.07, 948.085, or 948.30 or, if the victim is a financial institution, as defined in s. 943.80 (2), a crime under s. 943.84 (1) or (2).

AB971,34 Section 34. 970.03 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB971,11,11 970.03 (4) (a) If the defendant is accused of a crime under s. 940.225, 940.303, 948.02, 948.025, 948.05, 948.051, 948.06, 948.085, or 948.095, or under s. 940.302 (2), if the court finds that the crime was sexually motivated, as defined in s. 980.01 (5), the court may exclude from the hearing all persons who are not officers of the court, members of the complainant's or defendant's families or others considered by the court to be supportive of the complainant or defendant, the service representative, as defined in s. 895.45 (1) (c), or other persons required to attend, if the court finds that the state or the defendant has established a compelling interest that would likely be prejudiced if the persons were not excluded. The court may consider as a compelling interest, among others, the need to protect a complainant from undue embarrassment and emotional trauma.