AB424,1,8 1An Act to renumber and amend 51.20 (13) (cv) 1.; to amend 51.20 (13) (cv) 2.,
251.20 (13) (cv) 3., 51.20 (13) (cv) 4., 51.20 (16) (gm), 175.35 (1) (at), 941.29 (1)
3(e), 941.29 (2) (d), 941.29 (9) and 968.20 (1r); and to create 51.20 (13) (cv) 1. a.
4and b., 51.30 (4) (b) 28., 51.45 (13) (i), 54.10 (3) (f), 55.12 (10), 175.35 (2g) (d) and
5941.29 (1) (em) of the statutes; relating to: adjudications for involuntary
6commitment, appointment of a guardian of the person, and protective
7placement or protective services, background checks for the purchase of
8handguns, and requiring the exercise of rule-making authority.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill makes certain changes in the law relating to background checks for
handgun purchasers. Under current law, when a person seeks to purchase a
handgun from a licensed handgun dealer, the dealer must ask the Department of
Justice (DOJ) to conduct a background check on the person. In conducting the
background check, DOJ searches DOJ records to determine whether the person is
ineligible to possess a firearm under state law, but state law does not explicitly
require DOJ to determine whether federal law bars the person from possessing a
firearm based on criteria not covered by state law. This bill requires DOJ, when
conducting a background check on a prospective handgun purchaser, to check

whether the person has been the subject of a court order or finding that is based on
a determination that the person's mental health would render the person ineligible
to possess a firearm under federal law.
This bill requires courts to make a determination of whether a person would be
ineligible to possess a firearm under federal law during proceedings for involuntary
commitment for persons found by the court to be mentally ill, drug dependent, or
developmentally disabled and dangerous or evidencing impaired judgment. The bill
also requires courts to make the determination during proceedings for appointment
of a guardian of the person for an individual found by the court to be incompetent and,
if not previously determined, during proceedings under which a court orders
protective placement or protective services. If the court determines that federal law
prohibits the person from possessing a firearm, the court must order the person not
to possess a firearm, order the seizure of any firearm the person owns, and inform
the person that he or she would be committing a felony if he or she possessed a
firearm. The courts must then convey the disqualified status to DOJ which may use
that information only during background checks conducted when the person seeks
to purchase a handgun or under rules that DOJ promulgates in order to provide
information to the national instant criminal background check system.
Specifically, courts must determine if the person has been "adjudicated as a
mental defective" or "committed to a mental institution," as defined in federal law.
Under federal law, "adjudicated as a mental defective" means a determination by a
court, board, commission, or other lawful authority that a person, as a result of a
marked subnormal intelligence, or a mental illness, incompetency, condition, or
disease either is a danger to himself or herself or to others or lacks the mental
capacity to contract or manage his or her own affairs. This determination includes
a finding of insanity by a court in a criminal case and persons found incompetent to
stand trial or found not guilty by reason of lack of mental responsibility pursuant to
the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Federal law defines "committed to a mental
institution" as a formal commitment of a person to a mental institution by a court,
board, commission, or other lawful authority. The term includes a commitment to
a mental institution involuntarily, commitment for mental defectiveness or mental
illness, and commitments for other reasons such as for drug use. The term does not
include a person in an institution for observation or a voluntary admission to a
mental institution.
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:
AB424, s. 1 1Section 1. 51.20 (13) (cv) 1. of the statutes is renumbered 51.20 (13) (cv) 1.
2(intro.) and amended to read:
AB424,3,8
151.20 (13) (cv) 1. If the court makes the disposition under par. (a) 3., 4., 4m.,
2or 5. and the court determines, based on evidence presented on the issue of the
3subject individual's dangerousness, that there is a substantial probability that the
4individual may use a firearm to cause physical harm to himself or herself or endanger
5public safety
, the court shall prohibit the individual from possessing order the person
6not to possess
a firearm, order the seizure of any firearm owned by the individual,
7and inform the individual of the requirements and penalties under s. 941.29. if the
8court determines any of the following:
AB424, s. 2 9Section 2. 51.20 (13) (cv) 1. a. and b. of the statutes are created to read:
AB424,3,1410 51.20 (13) (cv) 1. a. Based on evidence presented on the issue of the individual's
11dangerousness, there is a substantial probability that the individual may use a
12firearm to cause physical harm to himself or herself or endanger public safety. If this
13subd. 1. a. and subd. 1. b. apply to the individual, the court shall make a
14determination under subd. 1. b.
AB424,3,1615b. Under 18 USC 922 (g) (4), the individual is prohibited from possessing a
16firearm.
AB424, s. 3 17Section 3. 51.20 (13) (cv) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB424,4,218 51.20 (13) (cv) 2. A prohibition on An order prohibiting the possession of a
19firearm under subd. 1. based on a determination under subd. 1. a. shall remain in
20effect until the commitment order and any subsequent consecutive commitment
21orders expire and the court determines, based on evidence presented on the issue of
22the subject individual's dangerousness, that there is no longer a substantial
23probability that the individual may use a firearm to cause physical harm to himself
24or herself or endanger public safety. If the court makes this determination, it shall

1cancel the prohibition order and order the return of any firearm ordered seized under
2subd. 1. on the basis of a determination under subd. 1. a.
AB424, s. 4 3Section 4. 51.20 (13) (cv) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB424,4,74 51.20 (13) (cv) 3. In lieu of ordering the seizure under subd. 1. on the basis of
5a determination under subd. 1. a.
, the court may designate a person to store the
6firearm until the prohibition order under subd. 1. based on the determination under
7subd. 1. a.
has been canceled under sub. (16) (gm).
AB424, s. 5 8Section 5. 51.20 (13) (cv) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB424,4,219 51.20 (13) (cv) 4. If the court prohibits orders a subject individual from
10possessing
not to possess a firearm under subd. 1. based on a determination under
11subd. 1. a. or b.
or cancels a prohibition under subd. 2. or sub. (16) (gm) an order
12issued
under subd. 2. 1. based on a determination under subd. 1. a., the court clerk
13shall notify the department of justice of that fact and provide any information
14identifying the subject individual that is necessary to permit an accurate
15involuntary commitment history record search, or an accurate firearms restrictions
16record search,
under s. 175.35 (2g) (c). No other information from the subject
17individual's court records may be disclosed to the department of justice except by
18order of the court. The department of justice may disclose information provided
19under this subdivision only as part of an involuntary commitment history record
20search, or a firearms restrictions record search, under s. 175.35 (2g) (c) or under rules
21the department of justice promulgates under s. 175.35 (2g) (d)
.
AB424, s. 6 22Section 6. 51.20 (16) (gm) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB424,5,923 51.20 (16) (gm) Upon a request under par. (a), a court may cancel the
24prohibition order not to possess a firearm issued under sub. (13) (cv) 1. based on a
25determination under sub. (13) (cv) 1. a.
if the court determines, based on evidence

1presented on the issue of the subject individual's dangerousness, that there no longer
2is a substantial probability that the individual may use a firearm to cause physical
3harm to himself or herself or endanger public safety. If a court cancels a prohibition
4an order issued under sub. (13) (cv) 1. based on a determination under sub. (13) (cv)
51. a.
under this paragraph, the court clerk shall notify the department of justice of
6that fact and provide any information identifying the subject individual that is
7necessary to permit an accurate firearms restrictions record search under s. 175.35
8(2g) (c). No other information from the subject individual's court records may be
9disclosed to the department of justice except by order of the court.
AB424, s. 7 10Section 7. 51.30 (4) (b) 28. of the statutes is created to read:
AB424,5,1211 51.30 (4) (b) 28. To the department of justice, under the requirements of ss.
1251.20 (3) (cv) 4. and 51.45 (13) (i).
AB424, s. 8 13Section 8. 51.45 (13) (i) of the statutes is created to read:
AB424,5,2514 51.45 (13) (i) If a court orders commitment of a person under this subsection,
15the court shall determine if, under 18 USC 922 (g) (4), the person is prohibited from
16possessing a firearm. If the person is prohibited, the court shall order the person not
17to possess a firearm, order the seizure of any firearm owned by the person, and
18inform the person of the requirements and penalties under s. 941.29. The court clerk
19shall notify the department of justice of the prohibition and provide any information
20identifying the person that is necessary to permit an accurate firearms restrictions
21record search under s. 175.35 (2g) (c). No other information from the person's court
22records may be disclosed to the department of justice except by order of the court.
23The department of justice may disclose information provided under this paragraph
24only as part of a firearms restrictions record search under s. 175.35 (2g) (c) or under
25rules the department of justice promulgates under s. 175.35 (2g) (d).
AB424, s. 9
1Section 9. 54.10 (3) (f) of the statutes is created to read:
AB424,6,142 54.10 (3) (f) If the court appoints a guardian of the person under this
3subsection, the court shall determine if, under 18 USC 922 (g) (4), the person is
4prohibited from possessing a firearm. If the person is prohibited, the court shall
5order the person not to possess a firearm, order the seizure of any firearm owned by
6the person, and inform the person of the requirements and penalties under s. 941.29.
7The court clerk shall notify the department of justice of the prohibition and provide
8any information identifying the person that is necessary to permit an accurate
9firearms restriction record search under s. 175.35 (2g) (c). No other information from
10the person's court records may be disclosed to the department of justice except by
11order of the court. The department of justice may disclose information provided
12under this paragraph only as part of a firearms restriction record search under s.
13175.35 (2g) (c) or under rules the department of justice promulgates under s. 175.35
14(2g) (d).
AB424, s. 10 15Section 10. 55.12 (10) of the statutes is created to read:
AB424,7,416 55.12 (10) If a court orders protective services or protective placement of a
17individual under this section and if an order has not been made under s. 54.10 (3) (f)
18for the individual, the court shall determine if, under 18 USC 922 (g) (4), the
19individual is prohibited from possessing a firearm. If the individual is prohibited,
20the court shall order the individual not to possess a firearm, order the seizure of any
21firearm owned by the individual, and inform the individual of the requirements and
22penalties under s. 941.29. The court clerk shall notify the department of justice of
23the prohibition and provide any information identifying the individual that is
24necessary to permit an accurate firearms restriction record search under s. 175.35
25(2g) (c). No other information from the individual's court records may be disclosed

1to the department of justice except by order of the court. The department of justice
2may disclose information provided under this subsection only as part of a firearms
3restriction record search under s. 175.35 (2g) (c) or under rules the department of
4justice promulgates under s. 175.35 (2g) (d).
AB424, s. 11 5Section 11. 175.35 (1) (at) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB424,7,196 175.35 (1) (at) "Firearms restrictions record search" means a search of
7department of justice records to determine whether a person seeking to purchase a
8handgun is prohibited from possessing a firearm under s. 941.29. "Firearms
9restriction record search" includes a criminal history record search, a search to
10determine whether a person is prohibited from possessing has been ordered not to
11possess
a firearm under s. 51.20 (13) (cv) 1. based on a determination under s. 51.20
12(13) (cv) 1. a.
, a search to determine whether the person is subject to an injunction
13under s. 813.12 or 813.122, or a tribal injunction, as defined in s. 813.12 (1) (e), issued
14by a court established by any federally recognized Wisconsin Indian tribe or band,
15except the Menominee Indian tribe of Wisconsin, that includes notice to the
16respondent that he or she is subject to the requirements and penalties under s.
17941.29 and that has been filed with the circuit court under s. 806.247 (3), and a search
18to determine whether the person is prohibited from possessing a firearm under s.
19813.125 (4m).
AB424, s. 12 20Section 12. 175.35 (2g) (d) of the statutes is created to read:
AB424,7,2521 175.35 (2g) (d) The department of justice shall promulgate rules to convey
22information in a timely manner to the national instant criminal background check
23system regarding persons ordered not to possess a firearm under s. 51.20 (13) (cv) 1.,
24based on a determination under s. 51.20 (13) (cv) 1. b., or ordered not to possess a
25firearm under s. 51.45 (13) (i), 54.10 (3) (f), or 55.12 (10).
AB424, s. 13
1Section 13. 941.29 (1) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB424,8,42 941.29 (1) (e) Committed for treatment under s. 51.20 (13) (a) and ordered not
3to possess a firearm under s. 51.20 (13) (cv) 1. based on a determination under s. 51.20
4(13) (cv) 1. a
.
AB424, s. 14 5Section 14. 941.29 (1) (em) of the statutes is created to read:
AB424,8,86 941.29 (1) (em) Ordered not to possess a firearm under s. 51.20 (13) (cv) 1. based
7on a determination under s. 51.20 (13) (cv) 1. b. or ordered not to possess a firearm
8under s. 51.45 (13) (i), 54.10 (3) (f), or 55.12 (10).
AB424, s. 15 9Section 15. 941.29 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB424,8,1110 941.29 (2) (d) The person possesses a firearm while subject to the court order,
11as specified in sub. (1) (e), (em), or (g).
AB424, s. 16 12Section 16. 941.29 (9) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB424,8,1513 941.29 (9) This section does not apply to a person specified in sub. (1) (e) if the
14prohibition order under s. 51.20 (13) (cv) 1. based on a determination under s. 51.20
15(13) (cv) 1. a.
has been canceled under s. 51.20 (13) (cv) 2. or (16) (gm).
AB424, s. 17 16Section 17. 968.20 (1r) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB424,8,2017 968.20 (1r) If the seized property is a firearm ordered seized under due to a
18determination under
s. 51.20 (13) (cv) 1. a., the court that issued that order shall
19order the firearm returned if the prohibition order under s. 51.20 (13) (cv) 1. a. has
20been canceled under s. 51.20 (13) (cv) 2. or (16) (gm).
AB424, s. 18 21Section 18 . Nonstatutory provisions.
AB424,9,622 (1) Using the procedure under section 227.24 of the statutes, the department
23of justice shall promulgate rules required under section 175.35 (2g) (d) of the
24statutes, as created by this act, for the period before the effective date of the
25permanent rules promulgated under that section, but not to exceed the period

1authorized under section 227.24 (1) (c) and (2) of the statutes. Notwithstanding
2section 227.24 (1) (a), (2) (b), and (3) of the statutes, the department of justice is not
3required to provide evidence that promulgating a rule under this subsection as an
4emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of public peace, health, safety, or
5welfare and is not required to provide a finding of an emergency for a rule
6promulgated under this subsection.
AB424, s. 19 7Section 19. Initial applicability.
AB424,9,108 (1) The renumbering and amendment of section 51.20 (13) (cv) 1. of the statutes
9and the creation of section 51.20 (13) (cv) 1. a. and b. first apply to dispositions made
10on the effective date of this subsection.
AB424,9,1211 (2) The treatment of section 51.45 (13) (i) of the statutes first applies to
12commitments ordered on the effective date of this subsection.
AB424,9,1413 (3) The treatment of section 54.10 (3) (f) of the statutes first applies to
14appointments made on the effective date of this subsection.
AB424,9,1615 (4) The treatment of section 55.12 (10) of the statutes first applies to court
16orders made on the effective date of this subsection.
AB424, s. 20 17Section 20. Effective dates. This act takes effect on the first day of the 2nd
18month beginning after publication except as follows:
AB424,9,2019 (1) The treatment of section 175.35 (2g) (d) of the statutes and Section 18 (1 )
20of this act take effect on the day after publication.
AB424,9,2121 (End)
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