2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
January 18, 2024 - Introduced by Representatives Emerson, O'Connor, Conley, C.
Anderson
, J. Anderson, Billings, Dittrich, Drake, Edming, Gundrum, Hurd,
Joers, Kitchens, Krug, Maxey, Moore Omokunde, Murphy, Mursau,
Ohnstad, Ratcliff, Schraa, Shankland, Stubbs and Subeck, cosponsored by
Senators L. Johnson, Carpenter, Roys, Spreitzer, Taylor and Wirch.
Referred to Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety.
AB971,1,11 1An Act to amend 48.371 (3) (d), 103.10 (1m) (b) 6., 103.34 (1) (b) 2., 165.505 (1)
2(am), 165.68 (1) (a) 5., 165.84 (7) (ab) 1., 178.09031 (5), 178.10101 (1) (g),
3179.0811 (1) (e), 179.10101 (1) (g), 180.1420 (6), 180.1530 (1) (g), 181.1420 (7),
4181.1530 (1) (g), 183.0708 (1) (e), 183.09101 (1) (g), 250.04 (14) (a), 301.45 (1d)
5(b), 440.312 (2), 440.982 (2), 905.045 (1) (a), 939.46 (1m), 939.615 (1) (b) 1.,
6939.632 (1) (e) 1., 940.302 (2) (a) (intro.), 941.29 (1g) (a), 946.82 (4), 949.03 (2),
7950.045 (1) (a), 950.045 (2) (a), 969.001 (3) (a), 969.08 (10) (b), 970.03 (4) (a),
8971.31 (11), 972.11 (2) (b) (intro.), 973.015 (2m) (a), 973.075 (1) (b) 3., 973.075
9(2) (intro.) and 973.123 (1); and to create 940.303 of the statutes; relating to:
10human trafficking of adults at risk for the purpose of commercial sex acts and
11providing a penalty.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law it is a Class D felony to traffick an adult for the purpose of
commercial sex acts and it is a Class C felony to traffick a child for the purpose of
commercial sex acts. This bill increases the felony classification to a Class C felony
for trafficking an adult for the purpose of commercial sex acts if the adult is an adult

at risk. Under the bill, an “adult at risk” is defined as an adult who has a physical
or mental condition that substantially impairs his or her ability to care for his or her
needs and who has experienced, is currently experiencing, or is at risk of
experiencing abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation.
Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime,
the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a
report.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB971,1 1Section 1. 48.371 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,2,102 48.371 (3) (d) Any involvement of the child, whether as victim or perpetrator,
3in sexual intercourse or sexual contact in violation of s. 940.225, 948.02, 948.025, or
4948.085, prostitution in violation of s. 944.30 (1m), trafficking in violation of s.
5940.302 (2) if s. 940.302 (2) (a) 1. b. applies or in violation of s. 940.303, sexual
6exploitation of a child in violation of s. 948.05, trafficking of a child in violation of s.
7948.051, or causing a child to view or listen to sexual activity in violation of s.
8948.055, if the information is necessary for the care of the child or for the protection
9of any person living in the foster home, group home, or residential care center for
10children and youth or in the home of the relative.
AB971,2 11Section 2. 103.10 (1m) (b) 6. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,2,1512 103.10 (1m) (b) 6. “Sexual abuse" means conduct that is in violation of s.
13940.225, 940.303, 944.30 (1m), 948.02, 948.025, 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06,
14948.085, 948.09, or 948.10 or that is in violation of s. 940.302 (2) if s. 940.302 (2) (a)
151. b. applies.
AB971,3 16Section 3. 103.34 (1) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,3,617 103.34 (1) (b) 2. A violation of s. 940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.06, 940.07,
18940.08, 940.09, 940.10, 940.19 (2), (4), (5), or (6), 940.198 (2), 940.21, 940.225 (1), (2),

1or (3), 940.23, 940.235, 940.24, 940.25, 940.30, 940.302, 940.303, 940.305, 940.31,
2943.02, 943.03, 943.04, 943.10, 943.30, 943.31, 943.32, 944.32, 944.34, 946.10, 948.02
3(1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2), (3), or (5) (a) 1., 2., 3., or 4., 948.04, 948.05, 948.051,
4948.055, 948.06, 948.07, 948.075, 948.08, 948.085, 948.11 (2) (a) or (am), 948.12,
5948.13, 948.21 (2), 948.215, or 948.30 or of a substantially similar federal law or law
6of another state.
AB971,4 7Section 4. 165.505 (1) (am) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,3,108 165.505 (1) (am) “Human trafficking crime” means the commission of, or the
9solicitation, conspiracy, or attempt to commit, a violation of s. 940.302, 940.303, or
10948.051.
AB971,5 11Section 5 . 165.68 (1) (a) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,3,1212 165.68 (1) (a) 5. Trafficking under s. 940.302 or 940.303.
AB971,6 13Section 6. 165.84 (7) (ab) 1. of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act
1410
, is amended to read:
AB971,3,2015 165.84 (7) (ab) 1. A felony violation of s. 940.01, 940.05, 940.198 (2), 940.21,
16940.225 (1), (2), or (3), 940.235, 940.30, 940.302 (2), 940.303, 940.305, 940.31, 940.32
17(2), (2e), or (2m), 940.43, 940.45, 941.20, 941.21, 941.327, 943.02, 943.06, 943.10,
18943.23 (2), 943.231 (1), 943.32, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2) (a) or (c) or (5)
19(a) 1., 2., 3., or 4., 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.07, 948.08, 948.085, 948.095, or
20948.30 (2).
AB971,7 21Section 7. 178.09031 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,3,2322 178.09031 (5) The partnership violates s. 940.302 (2), 940.303 (3), or 948.051
23(2).
AB971,8 24Section 8. 178.10101 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,4,2
1178.10101 (1) (g) The foreign limited liability partnership violates s. 940.302
2(2), 940.302 (3), or 948.051 (2).
AB971,9 3Section 9. 179.0811 (1) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,4,54 179.0811 (1) (e) The partnership violates s. 940.302 (2), 940.302 (3), or 948.051
5(2).
AB971,10 6Section 10. 179.10101 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,4,87 179.10101 (1) (g) The foreign limited partnership violates s. 940.302 (2),
8940.303 (3),
or 948.051 (2).
AB971,11 9Section 11. 180.1420 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,4,1010 180.1420 (6) The corporation violates s. 940.302 (2), 940.303 (3), or 948.051 (2).
AB971,12 11Section 12. 180.1530 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,4,1312 180.1530 (1) (g) The foreign corporation violates s. 940.302 (2), 940.303 (3), or
13948.051 (2).
AB971,13 14Section 13. 181.1420 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,4,1615 181.1420 (7) Human trafficking. The corporation violates s. 940.302 (2),
16940.303 (3),
or 948.051 (2).
AB971,14 17Section 14. 181.1530 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,4,1918 181.1530 (1) (g) The foreign corporation violates s. 940.302 (2), 940.303 (3), or
19948.051 (2).
AB971,15 20Section 15. 183.0708 (1) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,4,2121 183.0708 (1) (e) The company violates s. 940.302 (2), 940.303 (3), or 948.051 (2).
AB971,16 22Section 16. 183.09101 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,4,2423 183.09101 (1) (g) The foreign limited liability company violates s. 940.302 (2),
24940.303 (3),
or 948.051 (2).
AB971,17 25Section 17. 250.04 (14) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,5,3
1250.04 (14) (a) Subject to the availability of funds and to par. (b), the
2department may provide or fund emergency services or assistance to victims of s.
3940.302 (2), 940.303, or 948.051.
AB971,18 4Section 18. 301.45 (1d) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,5,115 301.45 (1d) (b) “Sex offense" means a violation, or the solicitation, conspiracy,
6or attempt to commit a violation, of s. 940.22 (2), 940.225 (1), (2) or (3), 940.303,
7944.06, 944.18, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07
8(1) to (4), 948.075, 948.08, 948.085, 948.095, 948.11 (2) (a) or (am), 948.12, 948.13, or
9948.30, of s. 940.302 (2) if s. 940.302 (2) (a) 1. b. applies, or of s. 940.30 or 940.31 if
10the victim was a minor and the person who committed the violation was not the
11victim's parent.
AB971,19 12Section 19. 440.312 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,5,1713 440.312 (2) The department may not grant a license under this subchapter to
14any person who has been convicted of an offense under s. 940.22, 940.225, 940.302
15(2) (a) 1. b., 940.303, 944.06, 944.15, 944.17, 944.30 (1m), 944.31, 944.32, 944.33,
16944.34, 948.02, 948.025, 948.051, 948.06, 948.07, 948.075, 948.08, 948.081, 948.09,
17948.095, 948.10, 948.11, or 948.12.
AB971,20 18Section 20. 440.982 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,5,2319 440.982 (2) The department may not grant a license under this subchapter to
20any person who has been convicted of an offense under s. 940.22, 940.225, 940.303,
21944.06, 944.15, 944.17, 944.30 (1m), 944.31, 944.32, 944.33, 944.34, 948.02, 948.025,
22948.051, 948.06, 948.07, 948.075, 948.08, 948.081, 948.09, 948.095, 948.10, 948.11,
23or 948.12 or under s. 940.302 (2) if s. 940.302 (2) (a) 1. b. applies.
AB971,21 24Section 21 . 905.045 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,6,6
1905.045 (1) (a) “Abusive conduct" means abuse, as defined in s. 813.122 (1) (a),
2of a child, as defined in s. 813.122 (1) (b), interspousal battery, as described under s.
3940.19 or 940.20 (1m), domestic abuse, as defined in s. 813.12 (1) (am), sexual
4exploitation by a therapist under s. 940.22, sexual assault under s. 940.225, human
5trafficking involving a commercial sex act under s. 940.302 or 940.303, or child
6sexual abuse under s. 948.02, 948.025, or 948.05 to 948.11.
AB971,22 7Section 22. 939.46 (1m) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,6,118 939.46 (1m) A victim of a violation of s. 940.302 (2), 940.303, or 948.051 has
9an affirmative defense for any offense committed as a direct result of the violation
10of s. 940.302 (2), 940.303. or 948.051 without regard to whether anyone was
11prosecuted or convicted for the violation of s. 940.302 (2), 940.303, or 948.051.
AB971,23 12Section 23. 939.615 (1) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,6,1713 939.615 (1) (b) 1. A violation, or the solicitation, conspiracy, or attempt to
14commit a violation, of s. 940.22 (2), 940.225 (1), (2), or (3), 940.303, 948.02 (1) or (2),
15948.025 (1), 948.05 (1) or (1m), 948.051, 948.055 (1), 948.06, 948.07, 948.075, 948.08,
16948.085, 948.11 (2) (a), 948.12, or 948.13 or of s. 940.302 (2) if s. 940.302 (2) (a) 1. b.
17applies.
AB971,24 18Section 24. 939.632 (1) (e) 1. of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act
1910
, is amended to read:
AB971,6,2520 939.632 (1) (e) 1. Any felony under s. 940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.09
21(1c), 940.19 (2), (4) or (5), 940.198 (2) (a) or (c), 940.21, 940.225 (1), (2) or (3), 940.235,
22940.303, 940.305, 940.31, 941.20, 941.21, 943.02, 943.06, 943.10 (2), 943.231 (1),
23943.32 (2), 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2) (a) or (c) or (5) (a) 1., 2., 3., or 4., 948.05,
24948.051, 948.055, 948.07, 948.08, 948.085, or 948.30 (2) or under s. 940.302 (2) if s.
25940.302 (2) (a) 1. b. applies.
AB971,25
1Section 25. 940.302 (2) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,7,42 940.302 (2) (a) (intro.) Except as provided in s. 940.303 or 948.051, whoever
3knowingly engages in trafficking is guilty of a Class D felony if all of the following
4apply:
AB971,26 5Section 26. 940.303 of the statutes is created to read:
AB971,7,6 6940.303 Trafficking of an adult at risk. (1) In this section:
AB971,7,77 (a) “Adult at risk” has the meaning given in s. 55.01 (1e).
AB971,7,88 (b) “Commercial sex act” has the meaning given in s. 940.302 (1) (a).
AB971,7,12 9(2) Whoever knowingly recruits, entices, provides, obtains, harbors,
10transports, patronizes, or solicits or knowingly attempts to recruit, entice, provide,
11obtain, harbor, transport, patronize, or solicit an adult at risk for the purpose of
12commercial sex acts is guilty of a Class C felony.
AB971,7,15 13(3) Whoever benefits in any manner from a violation of sub. (2) is guilty of a
14Class C felony if the person knows that the benefits come from an act described in
15sub. (2).
AB971,7,20 16(4) Any person who incurs an injury or death as a result of a violation of sub.
17(2) or (3) may bring a civil action against the person who committed the violation.
18In addition to actual damages, the court may award punitive damages to the injured
19party, not to exceed treble the amount of actual damages incurred, and reasonable
20attorney fees.
AB971,27 21Section 27. 941.29 (1g) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act
2210
, is amended to read:
AB971,8,623 941.29 (1g) (a) “Violent felony" means any felony under s. 943.23 (1m), 1999
24stats., s. 943.23 (1r), 1999 stats., or s. 943.23 (1g), 2021 stats., this section, or s.
25940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.06, 940.08, 940.09, 940.10, 940.19, 940.195,

1940.198, 940.20, 940.201, 940.203, 940.204, 940.21, 940.225, 940.23, 940.235,
2940.285 (2), 940.29, 940.295 (3), 940.30, 940.302, 940.303, 940.305, 940.31, 940.43
3(1) to (3), 940.45 (1) to (3), 941.20, 941.26, 941.28, 941.2905, 941.292, 941.30, 941.327
4(2) (b) 3. or 4., 943.02, 943.04, 943.06, 943.10 (2), 943.231 (1), 943.32, 943.87, 946.43,
5948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03, 948.04, 948.05, 948.051, 948.06, 948.07, 948.08,
6948.085, or 948.30.
AB971,28 7Section 28. 946.82 (4) of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act 73,
8is amended to read:
AB971,8,239 946.82 (4) “Racketeering activity" means any activity specified in 18 USC 1961
10(1) in effect as of April 27, 1982, or the attempt, conspiracy to commit, or commission
11of any of the felonies specified in: chs. 945 and 961, subch. V of ch. 551, and ss. 49.49,
12134.05, 139.44 (1), 180.0129, 181.0129, 185.825, 201.09 (2), 215.12, 221.0625,
13221.0636, 221.0637, 221.1004, 553.41 (3) and (4), 553.52 (2), 940.01, 940.19 (4) to (6),
14940.20, 940.201, 940.203, 940.21, 940.30, 940.302 (2), 940.303, 940.305, 940.31,
15941.20 (2) and (3), 941.26, 941.28, 941.298, 941.31, 941.32, 942.09, 943.01 (2), (2d),
16or (2g), 943.011, 943.012, 943.013, 943.02, 943.03, 943.04, 943.05, 943.06, 943.10,
17943.20 (3) (bf) to (e), 943.201, 943.203, 943.23 (2) and (3), 943.231 (1), 943.24 (2),
18943.27, 943.28, 943.30, 943.32, 943.34 (1) (bf), (bm), and (c), 943.38, 943.39, 943.40,
19943.41 (8) (b) and (c), 943.50 (4) (bf), (bm), and (c) and (4m), 943.60, 943.70, 943.76,
20943.81, 943.82, 943.83, 943.84, 943.85, 943.86, 943.87, 943.88, 943.89, 943.90, 944.21
21(5) (c) and (e), 944.32, 944.34, 945.03 (1m), 945.04 (1m), 945.05 (1), 945.08, 946.10,
22946.11, 946.12, 946.13, 946.31, 946.32 (1), 946.48, 946.49, 946.61, 946.64, 946.65,
23946.72, 946.76, 946.79, 947.015, 948.05, 948.051, 948.08, 948.12, and 948.30.
AB971,29 24Section 29. 949.03 (2) of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act 10,
25is amended to read:
AB971,9,8
1949.03 (2) The commission or the attempt to commit any crime specified in s.
2346.62 (4), 346.63 (2) or (6), 940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.06, 940.07, 940.08,
3940.09, 940.10, 940.19, 940.198, 940.20, 940.201, 940.204, 940.21, 940.22 (2),
4940.225, 940.23, 940.235, 940.24, 940.25, 940.285, 940.29, 940.30, 940.302 (2),
5940.303, 940.305, 940.31, 940.32, 941.327, 942.09, 943.02, 943.03, 943.04, 943.10,
6943.20, 943.231 (1), 943.32, 943.81, 943.86, 943.87, 948.02, 948.025, 948.03, 948.04,
7948.05, 948.051, 948.06, 948.07, 948.075, 948.08, 948.085, 948.09, 948.095, 948.20,
8948.21 (1), 948.30, or 948.51.
AB971,30 9Section 30 . 950.045 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,9,1410 950.045 (1) (a) In addition to all rights afforded to victims under s. 950.04, an
11individual who is a victim of a violation of s. 940.22, 940.225, 940.302, 940.303,
12948.02, 948.025, or 948.05 to 948.11 has the right to be accompanied by a victim
13advocate at law enforcement interviews, subject to par. (b) or (c) and except as
14provided in par. (c) or (d).
AB971,31 15Section 31 . 950.045 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,9,2216 950.045 (2) (a) In addition to all rights afforded to victims under s. 950.04, an
17individual who is a victim of a violation of s. 940.22, 940.225, 940.302, 940.303,
18948.02, 948.025, or 948.05 to 948.11 has a right to be accompanied by a victim
19advocate at interviews and proceedings at which he or she is requested or allowed
20to attend that are related to the crime committed against him or her, including
21prosecution interviews, department of corrections proceedings, court proceedings,
22and postconviction proceedings, except as provided in s. 950.045 (1) (c) and (d).
AB971,32 23Section 32. 969.001 (3) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act
2410
, is amended to read:
AB971,10,11
1969.001 (3) (a) A crime specified under s. 940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05,
2940.06, 940.07, 940.08, 940.09 (1), 940.10, 940.11, 940.12, 940.19 (1), (2), (4), (5), or
3(6), 940.195 (1), (2), (4), (5), or (6), 940.198 (2) or (3), 940.20, 940.201 (2), 940.203 (2),
4940.204, 940.205 (2), 940.207 (2), 940.208, 940.21, 940.225 (1), (2), or (3), 940.23,
5940.235, 940.24, 940.25, 940.285, 940.29, 940.30, 940.302 (2), 940.303, 940.305,
6940.31, 940.32, 940.43, 940.45, 941.20, 941.21, 941.28, 941.2905, 941.292, 941.30,
7941.327, 941.38 (2) or (3), 941.39, 943.01 (2) (c), 943.011, 943.013, 943.02, 943.04,
8943.06, 943.10, 943.231 (1) or (2), 943.30, 943.32, 943.87, 946.43, 947.013, 947.015,
9948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2), (3), or (5), 948.04, 948.05, 948.051, 948.055,
10948.06, 948.07, 948.08, 948.085, 948.095, 948.30 (2), 948.55, 951.02, 951.08, or
11951.09.
AB971,33 12Section 33. 969.08 (10) (b) of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act
1310
, is amended to read:
AB971,10,2414 969.08 (10) (b) “Serious crime" means any crime specified in s. 943.23 (1m),
151999 stats., s. 943.23 (1r), 1999 stats., or s. 943.23 (1g), 2021 stats., or s. 346.62 (4),
16940.01, 940.02, 940.03, 940.05, 940.06, 940.08, 940.09, 940.10, 940.19 (5), 940.195
17(5), 940.198 (2) (a) or (c), 940.20, 940.201, 940.203, 940.204, 940.21, 940.225 (1) to (3),
18940.23, 940.24, 940.25, 940.29, 940.295 (3) (b) 1g., 1m., 1r., 2. or 3., 940.302 (2),
19940.303, 940.31, 941.20 (2) or (3), 941.26, 941.30, 941.327, 943.01 (2) (c), 943.011,
20943.013, 943.02, 943.03, 943.04, 943.06, 943.10, 943.231 (1), 943.30, 943.32, 943.81,
21943.82, 943.83, 943.85, 943.86, 943.87, 943.88, 943.89, 943.90, 946.01, 946.02,
22946.43, 947.015, 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03, 948.04, 948.05, 948.051, 948.06,
23948.07, 948.085, or 948.30 or, if the victim is a financial institution, as defined in s.
24943.80 (2), a crime under s. 943.84 (1) or (2).
AB971,34 25Section 34. 970.03 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB971,11,11
1970.03 (4) (a) If the defendant is accused of a crime under s. 940.225, 940.303,
2948.02, 948.025, 948.05, 948.051, 948.06, 948.085, or 948.095, or under s. 940.302 (2),
3if the court finds that the crime was sexually motivated, as defined in s. 980.01 (5),
4the court may exclude from the hearing all persons who are not officers of the court,
5members of the complainant's or defendant's families or others considered by the
6court to be supportive of the complainant or defendant, the service representative,
7as defined in s. 895.45 (1) (c), or other persons required to attend, if the court finds
8that the state or the defendant has established a compelling interest that would
9likely be prejudiced if the persons were not excluded. The court may consider as a
10compelling interest, among others, the need to protect a complainant from undue
11embarrassment and emotional trauma.
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