LRB-3783/1
ARG:jld
2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE
December 3, 2015 - Introduced by Senators Kapenga and Wanggaard, cosponsored
by Representatives Kuglitsch, Craig, Hutton, Jacque, Knodl, Kulp, T.
Larson
, Neylon, Rohrkaste, Sanfelippo and Tittl. Referred to Committee on
Judiciary and Public Safety.
SB408,1,3 1An Act to renumber and amend 343.15 (2) (b); and to create 343.15 (2) (b) 1.
2and 2. of the statutes; relating to: the liability of an adult sponsor of a minor
3applicant for a motor vehicle operator's license.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill limits the liability that may be imputed to a parent or other adult who
sponsors a person under the age of 18 (minor) in obtaining a motor vehicle operator's
license.
Under current law, with limited exceptions, an application for a motor vehicle
operator's license by a minor must be signed and verified by a parent or other adult
sponsor. After the operator's license is issued, any negligence or willful misconduct
of the minor when operating a motor vehicle is imputed to the parents or to the adult
sponsor who signed the application. The parents or the adult sponsor is jointly and
severally liable with the minor for any damages caused by the minor's negligent or
willful misconduct.
This bill creates a limit for liability imputed to the parents or adult sponsor for
damages caused by the minor's negligent or willful misconduct. Under the bill,
liability is limited to the higher of: 1) a total of $300,000 for all parents or adult
sponsors to all parties arising from any one accident; or 2) the limits of any insurance

coverage provided to the minor under the parent's or adult sponsor's applicable
insurance policies.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB408,1 1Section 1. 343.15 (2) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 343.15 (2) (b) (intro.)
2and amended to read:
SB408,2,93 343.15 (2) (b) (intro.) Any negligence or willful misconduct of a person under
4the age of 18 years when operating a motor vehicle upon the highways is imputed to
5the parents where both have custody and either parent signed as sponsor, otherwise,
6it is imputed to the adult sponsor who signed the application for such person's license.
7The parents or the adult sponsor is jointly and severally liable with such operator for
8any damages caused by such negligent or willful misconduct. The liability imputed
9under this paragraph is limited to a maximum total of the higher of the following:
SB408,2 10Section 2. 343.15 (2) (b) 1. and 2. of the statutes are created to read:
SB408,2,1211 343.15 (2) (b) 1. $300,000 for all parents or adult sponsors to all parties arising
12from any one accident.
SB408,2,1413 2. The limits of any insurance coverage provided to the minor under the
14parent's or adult sponsor's applicable insurance policies.
SB408,3 15Section 3. Initial applicability.
SB408,2,1716 (1) This act first applies to accidents occurring on the effective date of this
17subsection.
SB408,2,1818 (End)
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