LRB-1411/2
MGG:kaf:km
1997 - 1998 LEGISLATURE
May 27, 1997 - Introduced by Representatives R. Potter, Krusick, Ott, Dobyns,
Kelso, Ladwig, Schneider, Urban, Baumgart, Huber, Plale
and L. Young,
cosponsored by Senators Grobschmidt, Roessler and Plache, by request of
the International Association of Arson Investigators, and Juvenile Firesetters
Task Force. Referred to Committee on Government Operations.
AB387,1,3 1An Act to amend 938.343 (2); and to create 167.09, 778.25 (1) (a) 2m. and
2938.343 (11) of the statutes; relating to: possession of ignition devices by
3minors and providing a penalty.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill prohibits the possession of matches, lighters and other ignition devices
by persons under the age of 18 unless the person is under the supervision of an adult.
It also prohibits the sale, distribution or giving away of these ignition devices to
persons under the age of 18. The bill imposes a forfeiture for a violation of these
prohibitions and creates procedures for the seizure of these ignition devices as
evidence for prosecution of these violations.
For further information see the state and local 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:
AB387, s. 1 4Section 1. 167.09 of the statutes is created to read:
AB387,1,5 5167.09 Use of ignition devices by minors. (1) Definition. In this section:
AB387,1,66 (a) "Identification card" means any of the following:
AB387,2,1
11. A license containing a photograph issued under ch. 343.
AB387,2,22 2. An identification card issued under s. 343.50.
AB387,2,43 (b) "Ignition device" means a match, lighter or any other device designed to
4light a flame.
AB387,2,65 (c) Notwithstanding s. 990.01 (20), "minor" means any person under the age
6of 18 years.
AB387,2,97 (d) "Supervision by an adult" means within sight of an adult and under
8continuous verbal direction or control without the aid of any electronic
9telecommunication device.
AB387,2,11 10(2) Possession. No minor may possess an ignition device unless the minor is
11under the supervision of an adult.
AB387,2,12 12(3) Sales and distribution. (a) No person may sell an ignition device to a minor.
AB387,2,1413 (b) No seller or manufacturer of ignition devices may give, deliver or make
14accessible an ignition device to a minor.
AB387,2,1615 (c) No owner of a place of business may make ignition devices accessible to
16minors at the place of business.
AB387,2,19 17(4) Defense. Proof of all of the following facts by a person who allegedly sold,
18gave or distributed an ignition device to a minor is a defense to any prosecution for
19a violation of sub. (3) (a) or (b):
AB387,2,2120 (a) That the purchaser falsely represented that he or she had attained the age
21of 18 and presented an identification card.
AB387,2,2322 (b) That the appearance of the purchaser was such that an ordinary and
23prudent person would believe that the purchaser had attained the age of 18.
AB387,3,3
1(c) That the sale was made in good faith, in reasonable reliance on the
2identification card and appearance of the purchaser and in the belief that the
3purchaser had attained the age of 18.
AB387,3,9 4(5) Enforcement; seizures. (a) A law enforcement officer may seize an ignition
5device that is possessed by a minor in violation of sub. (2). The law enforcement
6officer or agency shall give a receipt as soon as practicable to the person from whose
7possession the ignition device is taken and shall keep the ignition device in safe
8custody. Failure to give such receipt shall not render the evidence seized
9inadmissible upon a trial.
AB387,3,1710 (b) Any person claiming the right to possession of an ignition device seized
11under par. (a) may apply for its return to the circuit court for the county in which the
12property was seized. Upon receipt of an application, the court shall order that notice
13as the circuit court determines to be adequate be given the district attorney and all
14persons who have or may have an interest in the ignition device and shall hold a
15hearing to hear all claims for possession of the ignition device. If the right to
16possession is proved to the court's satisfaction, it shall order the ignition device to be
17returned once any of the following applies:
AB387,3,1918 1. The ignition device is not needed as evidence or, if needed, satisfactory
19arrangements can be made for its return for subsequent use as evidence.
AB387,3,2120 2. All proceedings in which the ignition device may be required have been
21completed.
AB387,3,2422 (c) Unless the court enters an order under par. (b), the law enforcement officer
23or agency shall do one of the following once the ignition device is no longer required
24for evidence or for use in any further investigation:
AB387,3,2525 1. Return the ignition device to the person from whom it was seized.
AB387,4,1
12. Safely dispose of the ignition device.
AB387,4,3 2(6) Penalties; court orders. (a) A person who violates sub. (2) shall be subject
3to the following:
AB387,4,44 (b) A person who violates sub. (3) shall be subject to a forfeiture of $200.
AB387,4,85 1. For a first violation under sub. (2), the court shall order the person to
6complete any education course on fire safety that the court finds to be appropriate.
7If the court does not find an appropriate education course, the court shall impose a
8forfeiture of $100.
AB387,4,119 2. For a 2nd or subsequent violation under sub (2) or if a person fails to
10satisfactorily complete an education course on fire safety ordered by the court, the
11court shall impose a forfeiture of $100.
AB387, s. 2 12Section 2. 778.25 (1) (a) 2m. of the statutes is created to read:
AB387,4,1313 778.25 (1) (a) 2m. Under s. 167.09.
AB387, s. 3 14Section 3. 938.343 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387,5,215 938.343 (2) Impose a forfeiture not to exceed the maximum forfeiture that may
16be imposed on an adult for committing that violation or, if the violation is only
17applicable to a person under 18 years of age, $50, except as provided in par. (11). Any
18such order shall include a finding that the juvenile alone is financially able to pay
19and shall allow up to 12 months for the payment. If a juvenile fails to pay the
20forfeiture, the court may suspend any license issued under ch. 29 or suspend the
21juvenile's operating privilege as defined in s. 340.01 (40), for not less than 30 days
22nor more than 5 years. The court shall immediately take possession of the suspended
23license and forward it to the department which issued the license, together with the
24notice of suspension clearly stating that the suspension is for failure to pay a
25forfeiture imposed by the court. If the forfeiture is paid during the period of

1suspension, the court shall immediately notify the department, which will thereupon
2return the license to the person.
AB387, s. 4 3Section 4. 938.343 (11) of the statutes is created to read:
AB387,5,94 938.343 (11) If the violation is the first violation under s. 167.09 (2), order the
5juvenile to complete any education course on fire safety that the court finds to be
6appropriate. If the court does not find an appropriate education course, the court
7shall impose a forfeiture of $100. For a 2nd or subsequent violation under s. 167.09
8(2) or if a juvenile fails to satisfactorily complete an education course on fire safety
9ordered by the court, the court shall impose a forfeiture of $100.
AB387,5,1010 (End)
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