March 25, 1997 - Introduced by Representatives Freese, Walker, Green, Ryba,
Schafer, Wood, Sykora, Staskunas, Handrick, Baumgart, Plale, Otte, Duff,
Vander Loop, Hahn, Porter, Lorge, Ourada, Underheim, Dobyns, Huebsch,
Kreibich, Musser, Ladwig, Urban, Kelso, Seratti, Nass, Owens, Ainsworth,
F. Lasee, Ward, Ott, Lazich, Powers
and Gunderson, cosponsored by Senators
Welch, Grobschmidt, Drzewiecki, C. Potter, Buettner, A. Lasee, Schultz,
Weeden
and Farrow, by request of Tracy Scheide (formerly Tracy Black), her
family, and the family of Jeanette Chase. Referred to Committee on Criminal
Justice and Corrections.
AB221,1,11 1An Act to renumber 940.01 (1), 940.06, 940.08, 940.10, 940.23 (1), 940.23 (2) and
2940.24; to amend 302.11 (1g) (a) 2., 343.31 (3) (c), 343.31 (3) (f), 346.65 (6) (a)
31., 346.65 (6) (a) 2., 346.65 (6) (d), 939.22 (21) (d), 939.24 (1), 939.25 (1), 939.32
4(1) (intro.), 939.62 (2m) (a) 2., 940.01 (1) (title), 940.05 (2), 940.09 (1b), 940.09
5(1d), 940.09 (1m), 940.09 (2), 940.25 (1b), 940.25 (1d), 940.25 (1m), 940.25 (2),
6941.38 (1) (b) 4., 969.035 (1), 969.08 (10) (b), 973.0135 (1) (b) 2. and 980.01 (6)
7(b); and to create 939.75, 940.01 (1) (b), 940.02 (1m), 940.05 (2g), 940.05 (2h),
8940.06 (2), 940.08 (2), 940.09 (1) (c) to (e), 940.09 (1g) (c) and (d), 940.10 (2),
9940.195, 940.23 (1) (b), 940.23 (2) (b), 940.24 (2) and 940.25 (1) (c) to (e) of the
10statutes; relating to: causing harm or death to an unborn child and providing
11penalties.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, there are various penalties for homicides and other crimes
against life and bodily security. These crimes usually apply to offenses committed
against a human being after he or she has been born alive. This bill creates a similar
series of crimes providing penalties, based on current law, for persons who cause

death, great bodily harm or harm to an unborn child. The following chart shows the
maximum penalties for persons convicted of the crimes created in the bill: - See PDF for table PDF
The bill provides various exceptions to these crimes against unborn children.
The crimes do not apply to any of the following:
1. An act that causes the death of an unborn child during an induced abortion.

2. An act that follows the usual and customary standards of medical practice
during diagnostic testing or therapeutic treatment performed by, or under the
supervision of, a licensed physician.
3. An act by a health care provider in accordance with a pregnant woman's
power of attorney for health care or in accordance with a decision of an individual
designated by a pregnant woman to act on her behalf under her power of attorney
for health care.
4. An act by the pregnant woman toward her unborn child.
5. The prescription, dispensation or administration by any authorized person,
and the use by a woman, of any medicine, drug or device for birth control or
pregnancy prevention.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB221, s. 1 1Section 1. 302.11 (1g) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB221,3,52 302.11 (1g) (a) 2. Any felony under s. 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.09 (1), 940.19
3(5), 940.195 (5), 940.21, 940.225 (1) or (2), 940.305 (2), 940.31 (1) or (2) (b), 943.02,
4943.10 (2), 943.23 (1g) or (1m), 943.32 (2), 946.43, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03
5(2) (a) or (c), 948.05, 948.06, 948.07, 948.08, 948.30 (2), 948.35 (1) (b) or (c) or 948.36.
AB221, s. 2 6Section 2. 343.31 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB221,3,127 343.31 (3) (c) Any person convicted under s. 940.09 of causing the death of
8another or of an unborn child by the operation or handling of a motor vehicle shall
9have his or her operating privilege revoked for 5 years. If there was a minor
10passenger under 16 years of age or an unborn child, as defined in s. 939.75 (1), in the
11motor vehicle at the time of the violation that gave rise to the conviction under s.
12940.09, the revocation period is 10 years.
AB221, s. 3 13Section 3. 343.31 (3) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB221,4,314 343.31 (3) (f) Any person convicted under s. 940.25 shall have his or her
15operating privilege revoked for 2 years. If there was a minor passenger under 16

1years of age or an unborn child, as defined in s. 939.75 (1), in the motor vehicle at the
2time of the violation that gave rise to the conviction under s. 940.25, the revocation
3period is 4 years.
AB221, s. 4 4Section 4. 346.65 (6) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB221,4,165 346.65 (6) (a) 1. Except as provided in this paragraph, the court may order a
6law enforcement officer to seize a motor vehicle, or, if the motor vehicle is not ordered
7seized, shall order a law enforcement officer to equip the motor vehicle with an
8ignition interlock device or immobilize any motor vehicle owned by the person whose
9operating privilege is revoked under s. 343.305 (10) or who committed a violation of
10s. 346.63 (1) (a) or (b) or (2) (a) 1. or 2., 940.09 (1) (a) or, (b), (c) or (d) or 940.25 (1) (a)
11or, (b), (c) or (d) if the person whose operating privilege is revoked under s. 343.305
12(10) or who is convicted of the violation has 2 prior suspensions, revocations or
13convictions within a 10-year period that would be counted under s. 343.307 (1). The
14court shall not order a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device or
15immobilized if that would result in undue hardship or extreme inconvenience or
16would endanger the health and safety of a person.
AB221, s. 5 17Section 5. 346.65 (6) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB221,4,2418 346.65 (6) (a) 2. The court shall order a law enforcement officer to seize a motor
19vehicle owned by a person whose operating privilege is revoked under s. 343.305 (10)
20or who commits a violation of s. 346.63 (1) (a) or (b) or (2) (a) 1. or 2., 940.09 (1) (a)
21or, (b), (c) or (d) or 940.25 (1) (a) or, (b), (c) or (d) if the person whose operating privilege
22is revoked under s. 343.305 (10) or who is convicted of the violation has 3 or more prior
23suspensions, revocations or convictions within a 10-year period that would be
24counted under s. 343.307 (1).
AB221, s. 6 25Section 6. 346.65 (6) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB221,5,16
1346.65 (6) (d) At the hearing set under par. (c), the state has the burden of
2proving to a reasonable certainty by the greater weight of the credible evidence that
3the motor vehicle is a motor vehicle owned by a person who committed a violation of
4s. 346.63 (1) (a) or (b) or (2) (a) 1. or 2., 940.09 (1) (a) or, (b), (c) or (d) or 940.25 (1) (a)
5or, (b), (c) or (d) and, if the seizure is under par. (a) 1., that the person had 2 prior
6convictions, suspensions or revocations within a 10-year period as counted under s.
7343.307 (1) or, if the seizure is under par. (a) 2., 3 or more prior convictions,
8suspensions or revocations within a 10-year period as counted under s. 343.307 (1).
9If the owner of the motor vehicle proves by a preponderance of the evidence that he
10or she was not convicted of a violation of s. 346.63 (1) (a) or (b) or (2) (a) 1. or 2., 940.09
11(1) (a) or, (b), (c) or (d) or 940.25 (1) (a) or, (b), (c) or (d), or, if the seizure is under par.
12(a) 1., that he or she did not have 2 prior convictions, suspensions or revocations
13within a 10-year period as counted under s. 343.307 (1) or, if the seizure is under par.
14(a) 2., 3 or more prior convictions, suspensions or revocations within a 10-year period
15as counted under s. 343.307 (1), the motor vehicle shall be returned to the owner upon
16the payment of storage costs.
AB221, s. 7 17Section 7. 939.22 (21) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB221,5,1918 939.22 (21) (d) Battery, substantial battery or aggravated battery, as
19prohibited in s. 940.19 or 940.195.
AB221, s. 8 20Section 8. 939.24 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB221,6,221 939.24 (1) In this section, "criminal recklessness" means that the actor creates
22an unreasonable and substantial risk of death or great bodily harm to another
23human being and the actor is aware of that risk, except that for purposes of ss. 940.02
24(1m), 940.06 (2) and 940.23 (1) (b) and (2) (b), "criminal recklessness" means that the
25actor creates an unreasonable and substantial risk of death or great bodily harm to

1an unborn child, to the woman who is pregnant with that unborn child or to another
2and the actor is aware of that risk
.
AB221, s. 9 3Section 9. 939.25 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB221,6,114 939.25 (1) In this section, "criminal negligence" means ordinary negligence to
5a high degree, consisting of conduct which that the actor should realize creates a
6substantial and unreasonable risk of death or great bodily harm to another, except
7that for purposes of ss. 940.08 (2), 940.10 (2) and 940.24 (2), "criminal negligence"
8means ordinary negligence to a high degree, consisting of conduct that the actor
9should realize creates a substantial and unreasonable risk of death or great bodily
10harm to an unborn child, to the woman who is pregnant with that unborn child or
11to another
.
AB221, s. 10 12Section 10. 939.32 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB221,6,1613 939.32 (1) (intro.) Whoever attempts to commit a felony or a battery as defined
14by
crime specified in s. 940.19 or theft as defined by s., 940.195 or 943.20 may be fined
15or imprisoned or both not to exceed one-half the maximum penalty for the completed
16crime; except:
AB221, s. 11 17Section 11. 939.62 (2m) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB221,6,2218 939.62 (2m) (a) 2. Any felony under s. 940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.09
19(1), 940.19 (5), 940.195 (5), 940.21, 940.225 (1) or (2), 940.305, 940.31, 941.327 (2) (b)
204., 943.02, 943.10 (2), 943.23 (1g), (1m) or (1r), 943.32 (2), 946.43, 948.02 (1) or (2),
21948.025, 948.03 (2) (a) or (c), 948.05, 948.06, 948.07, 948.08, 948.30 (2), 948.35 (1) (b)
22or (c) or 948.36.
AB221, s. 12 23Section 12. 939.75 of the statutes is created to read:
AB221,7,3 24939.75 Death or harm to an unborn child. (1) In this section and ss. 939.24
25(1), 939.25 (1), 940.01 (1) (b), 940.02 (1m), 940.05 (2g) and (2h), 940.06 (2), 940.08 (2),

1940.09 (1) (c) to (e), (1b) and (1g) (c) and (d), 940.10 (2), 940.195, 940.23 (1) (b) and
2(2) (b), 940.24 (2) and 940.25 (1) (c) to (e) and (1b), "unborn child" means any
3individual of the human species from fertilization until birth.
AB221,7,8 4(2) (a) In this subsection, "induced abortion" means the use of any instrument,
5medicine, drug or other substance or device in a medical procedure with the intent
6to terminate the pregnancy of a woman and with an intent other than to increase the
7probability of a live birth, to preserve the life or health of the infant after live birth
8or to remove a dead fetus.
AB221,7,119 (b) Sections 940.01 (1) (b), 940.02 (1m), 940.05 (2g) and (2h), 940.06 (2), 940.08
10(2), 940.09 (1) (c) to (e) and (1g) (c) and (d), 940.10 (2), 940.195, 940.23 (1) (b) and (2)
11(b), 940.24 (2) and 940.25 (1) (c) to (e) do not apply to any of the following:
AB221,7,1312 1. An act committed during an induced abortion. This subdivision does not
13limit the applicability of ss. 940.04, 940.13 and 940.15 to an induced abortion.
AB221,7,1614 2. An act that is committed in accordance with the usual and customary
15standards of medical practice during diagnostic testing or therapeutic treatment
16performed by, or under the supervision of, a physician licensed under ch. 448.
AB221,7,2117 2h. An act by any health care provider, as defined in s. 155.01 (7), that is in
18accordance with a pregnant woman's power of attorney for health care instrument
19under ch. 155 or in accordance with a decision of a health care agent who is acting
20under a pregnant woman's power of attorney for health care instrument under ch.
21155.
AB221,7,2422 3. An act by a woman who is pregnant with an unborn child that results in the
23death of or great bodily harm, substantial bodily harm or bodily harm to that unborn
24child.
AB221,8,3
14. The prescription, dispensation or administration by any person lawfully
2authorized to do so and the use by a woman of any medicine, drug or device that is
3used as a method of birth control or is intended to prevent pregnancy.
AB221,8,9 4(3) When the existence of an exception under sub. (2) has been placed in issue
5by the trial evidence, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the facts
6constituting the exception do not exist in order to sustain a finding of guilt under s.
7940.01 (1) (b), 940.02 (1m), 940.05 (2g), 940.06 (2), 940.08 (2), 940.09 (1) (c) to (e) or
8(1g) (c) or (d), 940.10 (2), 940.195, 940.23 (1) (b) or (2) (b), 940.24 (2) or 940.25 (1) (c)
9to (e).
AB221, s. 13 10Section 13. 940.01 (1) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB221,8,1111 940.01 (1) (title) Offense Offenses.
AB221, s. 14 12Section 14. 940.01 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 940.01 (1) (a).
AB221, s. 15 13Section 15. 940.01 (1) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
AB221,8,1614 940.01 (1) (b) Except as provided in sub. (2), whoever causes the death of an
15unborn child with intent to kill that unborn child, kill the woman who is pregnant
16with that unborn child or kill another is guilty of a Class A felony.
AB221, s. 16 17Section 16. 940.02 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:
AB221,8,2018 940.02 (1m) Whoever recklessly causes the death of an unborn child under
19circumstances that show utter disregard for the life of that unborn child, the woman
20who is pregnant with that unborn child or another is guilty of a Class B felony.
AB221, s. 17 21Section 17. 940.05 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB221,8,2422 940.05 (2) In prosecutions under this section sub. (1), it is sufficient to allege
23and prove that the defendant caused the death of another human being with intent
24to kill that person or another.
AB221, s. 18 25Section 18. 940.05 (2g) of the statutes is created to read:
AB221,9,3
1940.05 (2g) Whoever causes the death of an unborn child with intent to kill that
2unborn child, kill the woman who is pregnant with that unborn child or kill another
3is guilty of a Class B felony if:
AB221,9,64 (a) In prosecutions under s. 940.01, the state fails to prove beyond a reasonable
5doubt that the mitigating circumstances specified in s. 940.01 (2) did not exist as
6required by s. 940.01 (3); or
AB221,9,97 (b) The state concedes that it is unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that
8the mitigating circumstances specified in s. 940.01 (2) did not exist. By charging
9under this section, the state so concedes.
AB221, s. 19 10Section 19. 940.05 (2h) of the statutes is created to read:
AB221,9,1311 940.05 (2h) In prosecutions under sub. (2g), it is sufficient to allege and prove
12that the defendant caused the death of an unborn child with intent to kill that unborn
13child, kill the woman who is pregnant with that unborn child or kill another.
AB221, s. 20 14Section 20. 940.06 of the statutes is renumbered 940.06 (1).
AB221, s. 21 15Section 21. 940.06 (2) of the statutes is created to read:
AB221,9,1716 940.06 (2) Whoever recklessly causes the death of an unborn child is guilty of
17a Class C felony.
AB221, s. 22 18Section 22. 940.08 of the statutes is renumbered 940.08 (1).
AB221, s. 23 19Section 23. 940.08 (2) of the statutes is created to read:
AB221,9,2220 940.08 (2) Whoever causes the death of an unborn child by the negligent
21operation or handling of a dangerous weapon, explosives or fire is guilty of a Class
22D felony.
AB221, s. 24 23Section 24. 940.09 (1) (c) to (e) of the statutes are created to read:
AB221,9,2524 940.09 (1) (c) Causes the death of an unborn child by the operation or handling
25of a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant.
AB221,10,3
1(d) Causes the death of an unborn child by the operation or handling of a vehicle
2while the person has a prohibited alcohol concentration, as defined in s. 340.01
3(46m).
AB221,10,64 (e) Causes the death of an unborn child by the operation of a commercial motor
5vehicle while the person has an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more but less than
60.1.
AB221, s. 25 7Section 25. 940.09 (1b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB221,10,118 940.09 (1b) If there was a minor passenger under 16 years of age or an unborn
9child
in the motor vehicle at the time of the violation that gave rise to the conviction
10under sub. (1), any applicable maximum fine or imprisonment specified for the
11conviction is doubled.
AB221, s. 26 12Section 26. 940.09 (1d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB221,10,1813 940.09 (1d) If the person who committed an offense under sub. (1) (a) or, (b),
14(c) or (d)
has 2 or more prior convictions, suspensions or revocations in a 10-year
15period, as counted under s. 343.307 (1), the procedure under s. 346.65 (6) may be
16followed regarding the immobilization or seizure and forfeiture of a motor vehicle
17owned by the person who committed the offense or the equipping of a motor vehicle
18owned by the person with an ignition interlock device.
AB221, s. 27 19Section 27. 940.09 (1g) (c) and (d) of the statutes are created to read:
AB221,10,2120 940.09 (1g) (c) Causes the death of an unborn child by the operation or handling
21of a firearm or airgun while under the influence of an intoxicant.
AB221,10,2322 (d) Causes the death of an unborn child by the operation or handling of a
23firearm or airgun while the person has an alcohol concentration of 0.1 or more.
AB221, s. 28 24Section 28. 940.09 (1m) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB221,11,15
1940.09 (1m) A person may be charged with and a prosecutor may proceed upon
2an information based upon a violation of sub. (1) (a) or (b) or both or of, sub. (1) (a)
3or (bm) or both or of, sub. (1) (c) or (d) or both, sub. (1) (c) or (e) or both, sub. (1g) (a)
4or (b) or both or sub. (1g) (c) or (d) or both for acts arising out of the same incident or
5occurrence. If the person is charged with violating both sub. (1) (a) and (b) or, both
6sub. (1) (a) and (bm) or, both sub. (1) (c) and (d), both sub. (1) (c) and (e), both sub. (1g)
7(a) and (b) or both sub. (1g) (c) and (d) in the information, the crimes shall be joined
8under s. 971.12. If the person is found guilty of both sub. (1) (a) and (b) or of, both
9sub. (1) (a) and (bm) or of, both sub. (1) (c) and (d), both sub. (1) (c) and (e), both sub.
10(1g) (a) and (b) or both sub. (1g) (c) and (d) for acts arising out of the same incident
11or occurrence, there shall be a single conviction for purposes of sentencing and for
12purposes of counting convictions under s. 23.33 (13) (b) 2. and 3., under s. 30.80 (6)
13(a) 2. and 3., under s. 343.307 (1) or under s. 350.11 (3) (a) 2. and 3. Subsection (1)
14(a), (b) and, (bm), (c), (d) and (e), and sub. (1g) (a) and, (b), (c) and (d), each require
15proof of a fact for conviction which the other does not require.
AB221, s. 29 16Section 29. 940.09 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB221,11,2117 940.09 (2) The defendant has a defense if he or she proves by a preponderance
18of the evidence that the death would have occurred even if he or she had been
19exercising due care and he or she had not been under the influence of an intoxicant
20or did not have an alcohol concentration described under sub. (1) (b) or, (bm), (d) or
21(e)
or (1g) (b) or (d).
AB221, s. 30 22Section 30. 940.10 of the statutes is renumbered 940.10 (1).
AB221, s. 31 23Section 31. 940.10 (2) of the statutes is created to read:
AB221,11,2524 940.10 (2) Whoever causes the death of an unborn child by the negligent
25operation or handling of a vehicle is guilty of a Class E felony.
AB221, s. 32
1Section 32. 940.195 of the statutes is created to read:
AB221,12,6 2940.195 Battery to an unborn child; substantial battery to an unborn
3child; aggravated battery to an unborn child. (1)
Whoever causes bodily harm
4to an unborn child by an act done with intent to cause bodily harm to that unborn
5child, to the woman who is pregnant with that unborn child or another is guilty of
6a Class A misdemeanor.
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