AB620, s. 7 12Section 7. 812.34 (2) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,4,1413 812.34 (2) (b) 1. The debtor's household income is below the poverty line, or the
14garnishment would cause that result
; or
AB620, s. 8 15Section 8. 812.34 (2) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
AB620,4,1916 812.34 (2) (c) If the garnishment of 20% of the debtor's disposable income under
17this subchapter would result in the debtor's household income being below the
18poverty line, the amount of the garnishment is limited to the debtor's household
19income in excess of the poverty line before the garnishment is in effect.
AB620, s. 9 20Section 9. 812.37 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,5,521 812.37 (1) Except as provided in s. 812.34 (1), the debtor may claim an
22exemption under s. 812.34 (2) (b), a limit to the garnishment under s. 812.34 (2) (c),
23or may assert any defense to the earnings garnishment, by completing the answer
24form and delivering or mailing it to the garnishee, along with the schedules and
25worksheets provided under s. 812.35 (4) (b) and any other documents supporting his

1or her answer, such as a wage statement, a court order regarding the payment of
2support or a document showing the receipt of any of the benefits listed under s.
3812.44 (4) (form) 2
. The debtor or debtor's spouse may file an answer or an amended
4answer and documentation at any time before or during the effective period of the
5earnings garnishment.
AB620, s. 10 6Section 10. 812.37 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,5,127 812.37 (2) Whenever the garnishee receives a debtor's answer or amended
8answer and the schedules, worksheets and other documents, the garnishee shall
9mail a copy of the answer, schedules, worksheets and any other documents the debtor
10included with the answer
to the creditor by the end of the 3rd business day after
11receiving the debtor's answer and documents, writing on that copy the date of receipt
12of the answer and documents by the garnishee.
AB620, s. 11 13Section 11. 812.38 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,5,1914 812.38 (1) (b) The debtor may file with the court a written petition for relief
15from the earnings garnishment if the exemption percentage under s. 812.34 (2) (a)
16is insufficient for the debtor to acquire the necessities of life for the debtor and his
17or her dependents. The petition shall state with reasonable specificity the grounds
18for the relief requested and shall include any additional information necessary to
19support the petition.
AB620, s. 12 20Section 12. 812.38 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,6,1121 812.38 (2) A motion or petition under sub. (1) may be made at any time during
22the pendency of the earnings garnishment. Within 5 business days after a motion
23or petition is filed under sub. (1), the court shall schedule the matter for a hearing
24to be held as promptly as practicable. The court shall notify the parties of the time
25and place of the hearing. Upon conclusion of the hearing, the court shall make

1findings of fact and conclusions of law. If the debtor has failed to produce the
2schedules and worksheets or other documents necessary to support a claim for
3exemptions or other defenses, the court shall award the creditor his or her costs
4related to the motion in an amount of not less than $50. An award under this
5subsection may not substitute for or replace an award made under sub. (3).
The court
6shall make such order as required by these findings and conclusions. If the order
7permits the garnishment to proceed, the date on which the order is served upon the
8garnishee shall substitute for the original date of service of the garnishment upon
9the garnishee under s. 812.35 (3) for the purpose of determining any 13-week period
10under s. 812.35 (5) or (6). A court order shall bind the garnishee from the time the
11order is served upon him or her.
AB620, s. 13 12Section 13. 812.44 (3) (form) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,6,1613 812.44 (3) (form) 3. Whenever you receive a debtor's answer form from the
14debtor, mail a copy of the answer form and any documents the debtor included with
15the answer
to the creditor by the end of the 3rd business day after receipt of that form.
16Include the date you received the answer form on the copy sent to the creditor.
AB620, s. 14 17Section 14. 812.44 (4) (form) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,6,2018 812.44 (4) (form) 1. Your household income is below the federal poverty level,
19or this garnishment would cause that to happen. See the enclosed schedules and
20worksheet to determine if you qualify for this exemption.
AB620, s. 15 21Section 15. 812.44 (4) (form) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,6,2322 812.44 (4) (form) 3. At least 25% of your disposable earnings are assigned by
23court order for support.
AB620,7,3
1If the garnishment of 20% of your disposable income would result in the income
2of your household being below the poverty line, the garnishment is limited to the
3amount of your household's income in excess of the poverty line.
AB620,7,104 If you qualify for a complete exemption or for a limit on the amount of the
5garnishment to the amount that your household's income exceeds the poverty line
,
6you must give or mail a copy of the enclosed debtor's answer form to the garnishee,
7along with the schedules and worksheets and any other documents supporting your
8answer, such as a wage statement, a court order regarding the payment of support
9or a document showing the receipt of any of the benefits listed under paragraph 2
10above
in order to receive that increased exemption.
AB620,7,1211 If your circumstances change while the garnishment is in effect, you may file
12a new answer at any time.
AB620,7,1613 If you do not qualify for a complete exemption, but you will not be able to acquire
14the necessities of life for yourself and your dependents if your earnings are reduced
15by this earnings garnishment, you may ask the court in which this earnings
16garnishment was filed to increase your exemption or grant you other relief.
AB620,7,1817 IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE
18 CONSULT AN ATTORNEY
AB620,7,2419 If you have earnings that are being garnisheed that are exempt or subject to a
20defense, the sooner you file your answer or seek relief from the court, the sooner such
21relief can be provided. This earnings garnishment affects your earnings in pay
22periods beginning within 13 weeks after it was served on the garnishee. You may
23agree in writing with the creditor to extend it for additional 13-week periods until
24the debt is paid.
AB620,7,2525 PENALTIES
AB620,8,3
1If you wrongly claim an exemption or defense in bad faith, or if the creditor
2wrongly objects to your claim in bad faith, the court may order the person who acted
3in bad faith to pay court costs, actual damages and reasonable attorney fees.
AB620, s. 16 4Section 16. 814.04 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,8,135 814.04 (1) (a) When the amount recovered or the value of the property involved
6is $1,000 or over equal to or greater than the maximum amount specified in s. 799.01
7(1) (d)
, attorney fees shall be $100 $750; when it is equal to or less than $1,000 and
8is $500 or over, $50
the maximum amount specified in s. 799.01 (1) (d), but is $5,000
9or more, attorney fees shall be $500
; when it is less than $500 and is $200 or over,
10$25; and when it is less than $200, $15
$5,000 and is $1,000 or more, attorney fees
11shall be $300; and when it is less than $1,000, attorney fees shall be $100. In all other
12cases in which there is no amount recovered or that do not involve property, attorney
13fees shall be $500
.
AB620, s. 17 14Section 17. 814.04 (1) (b) of the statutes is repealed.
AB620, s. 18 15Section 18. 814.04 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,9,316 814.04 (2) Disbursements. All the necessary disbursements and fees allowed
17by law; the compensation of referees; a reasonable disbursement for the service of
18process or other papers in an action when the same are served by a person authorized
19by law other than an officer, but the item may not exceed the authorized sheriff's fee
20for the same service; amounts actually paid out for certified and other copies of
21papers and records in any public office; postage, telegraphing photocopying,
22telephoning, electronic communications, facsimile transmissions and express or
23overnight delivery
; depositions including copies; plats and photographs, not
24exceeding $50 $100 for each item; an expert witness fee not exceeding $100 $300 for
25each expert who testifies, exclusive of the standard witness fee and mileage which

1shall also be taxed for each expert; and in actions relating to or affecting the title to
2lands, the cost of procuring an abstract of title to the lands. Guardian ad litem fees
3shall not be taxed as a cost or disbursement.
AB620, s. 19 4Section 19. 814.07 of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,9,7 5814.07 Costs on motion. Costs may be allowed on a motion, in the discretion
6of the court or judge, not exceeding $50 $300, and may be absolute or directed to abide
7the event of the action.
AB620, s. 20 8Section 20. 815.18 (3) (k) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,9,119 815.18 (3) (k) Depository accounts. Depository accounts in the aggregate value
10of $1,000, but only to the extent that the account is for the debtor's personal use and
11is not used as a business account
.
AB620, s. 21 12Section 21. 895.035 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,9,2213 895.035 (2) The parent or parents with custody of a minor child, in any
14circumstances where he, she or they may not be liable under the common law, are
15liable for damages to property, for the cost of repairing or replacing property or
16removing the marking, drawing, writing or etching from property regarding a
17violation under s. 943.017, for the value of unrecovered stolen property or for
18personal injury attributable to a wilful, malicious or wanton act of the child. The
19parent or parents with custody of their minor child are jointly and severally liable
20with the child for the damages imposed under s. 895.80, 943.212, 943.24, 943.245
21or
943.51 for their child's violation of s. 943.01, 943.011, 943.012, 943.017, 943.20,
22943.201, 943.21, 943.24, 943.26, 943.34, 943.395, 943.41,
943.50 or 943.61.
AB620, s. 22 23Section 22. 895.08 of the statutes is created to read:
AB620,9,25 24895.08 Assignment of debt and right to sue. (1) Any person may assign
25a debt owed to that person to any other person, including a debt collection agency

1licensed by the department of financial institutions. That assignment shall be in
2writing for consideration and shall state the amount owed to the original creditor, the
3name of the debtor and the name of the person to whom the debt is assigned.
AB620,10,10 4(2) An assignee taking assignment of a debt under this section shall take the
5assignment of the debt in his or her own name as real parties in interest for the
6purpose of billing, collection and bringing suit in his or her own name. No suit
7regarding an assigned debt may be instituted on behalf of a collection agency in any
8court unless the collection agency appears by a duly authorized and licensed attorney
9at law. When a suit is commenced under this subsection, the court may authorize
10payment of reasonable attorney fees and costs to the prevailing party.
AB620,10,15 11(3) The person assigned a debt under this section shall send notice to the debtor
12of the assignment by mail at the debtor's last known address within 30 calendar days
13after making the assignment. If the person assigned the debt fails to send a notice
14to the debtor within the time period required by this subsection, the assignment may
15not be effective until the notice is sent to the debtor.
AB620, s. 23 16Section 23. 895.80 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,10,2317 895.80 (2) The burden of proof in a civil action under sub. (1) is with the person
18who suffers damage or loss to prove his or her case a violation of s. 943.01, 943.011,
19943.012, 943.017, 943.20, 943.201, 943.21, 943.24, 943.26, 943.34, 943.395, 943.41,
20943.50 or 943.61
by a preponderance of the credible evidence. A conviction under s.
21943.01, 943.011, 943.012, 943.017, 943.20, 943.201, 943.21, 943.24, 943.26, 943.34,
22943.395, 943.41, 943.50 or 943.61 is not required to bring an action, obtain a
23judgment or collect on that judgment under this section.
AB620, s. 24 24Section 24. 895.80 (3) (a) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:
AB620,11,4
1895.80 (3) (a) Actual damages, including the retail or replacement value of
2damaged, used or lost property, whichever is greater, for a violation of s. 943.01,
3943.011, 943.012, 943.017, 943.20, 943.201, 943.21, 943.24, 943.26, 943.34, 943.395,
4943.41, 943.50 or 943.61.
AB620, s. 25 5Section 25. 895.80 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,11,86 895.80 (3) (b) All costs of investigation and litigation that were reasonably
7incurred, including the value of the time spent by any employe or agent of the victim,
8court costs and reasonable attorney fees
.
AB620, s. 26 9Section 26. 895.80 (3) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
AB620,11,1210 895.80 (3) (c) Exemplary damages of not more than 3 times the amount
11awarded under par. (a). No additional proof is required under this section for an
12award of exemplary damages under this paragraph.
AB620, s. 27 13Section 27. 895.80 (4) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:
AB620,11,1514 895.80 (4) Any recovery under this section shall be reduced by the amount
15recovered as restitution under ss. 800.093 and 973.20 and ch. 938.
AB620, s. 28 16Section 28. 895.80 (6) of the statutes is created to read:
AB620,11,1817 895.80 (6) A person is not criminally liable under s. 943.30 for any action
18brought in good faith under this section.
AB620, s. 29 19Section 29. 943.24 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,11,2420 943.24 (3) (b) Proof that, at the time of issuance, the person did not have
21sufficient funds or credit with the drawee and that the person failed within 5 days
22after receiving written notice of nonpayment or dishonor to pay the check or other
23order, delivered by regular mail to either the person's last-known address, or to the
24address provided on the check or other order
; or
AB620, s. 30 25Section 30. 943.24 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,12,5
1943.24 (3) (c) Proof that, when presentment was made within a reasonable
2time, the person did not have sufficient funds or credit with the drawee and the
3person failed within 5 days after receiving written notice of nonpayment or dishonor
4to pay the check or other order, delivered by regular mail to either the person's
5last-known address, or to the address provided on the check or other order
.
AB620, s. 31 6Section 31. 943.245 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,12,97 943.245 (3) Notwithstanding sub. (2) (c) and (d), the total amount awarded for
8exemplary damages and reasonable attorney fees may not exceed $500 for each
9violation
.
AB620, s. 32 10Section 32. 943.245 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,12,1911 943.245 (4) At least 20 days prior to commencing an action, as specified in s.
12801.02, under this section, the plaintiff shall notify the defendant, by mail, of his or
13her intent to bring the action. Notice of nonpayment or dishonor shall be sent by the
14payee or holder of the check or order to the drawer by regular mail supported by an
15affidavit of service of mailing or by a certificate of mailing obtained from the U.S. post
16office from which the mailing was made
. The plaintiff shall mail the notice to the
17defendant's last-known address or to the address provided on the check or order. If
18the defendant pays the check or order prior to the commencement of the action, he
19or she is not liable under this section.
AB620, s. 33 20Section 33. 943.50 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,13,821 943.50 (3) A merchant, a merchant's adult employe or a merchant's security
22agent who has reasonable cause for believing that a person has violated this section
23in his or her presence may detain the person in a reasonable manner for a reasonable
24length of time to deliver the person to a peace officer, or to his or her parent or
25guardian in the case of a minor
. The detained person must be promptly informed of

1the purpose for the detention and be permitted to make phone calls, but he or she
2shall not be interrogated or searched against his or her will before the arrival of a
3peace officer who may conduct a lawful interrogation of the accused person. The
4merchant, merchant's adult employe or merchant's security agent may release the
5detained person before the arrival of a peace officer or parent or guardian
. Any
6merchant, merchant's adult employe or merchant's security agent who acts in good
7faith in any act authorized under this section is immune from civil or criminal
8liability for those acts.
AB620, s. 34 9Section 34. 943.51 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,13,1210 943.51 (3) Notwithstanding sub. (2) and except as provided in sub. (3m), the
11total amount awarded for exemplary damages and reasonable attorney fees may not
12exceed $500 for each violation.
AB620, s. 35 13Section 35. 943.51 (3m) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB620,13,1714 943.51 (3m) Notwithstanding sub. (2), the total amount awarded for
15exemplary damages and reasonable attorney fees may not exceed $300 for each
16violation
if the action is brought against a minor or against the parent who has
17custody of their minor child for the loss caused by the minor.
AB620, s. 36 18Section 36. Initial applicability.
AB620,13,2019 (1) This act first applies to actions commenced on the effective date of this
20subsection.
AB620, s. 37 21Section 37. Effective date.
AB620,13,2322 (1) This act takes effect on the first day of the 4th month beginning after
23publication.
AB620,13,2424 (End)
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