WisconsinAB6772025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)HouseWALLET

An Act to amend 48.345 (3) (a) 2., 48.345 (3) (b) 2., 48.685 (1) (c) 2., 48.685 (4m) (b) 2., 48.685 (4m) (b) 2m., 50.065 (1) (e) 2., 51.20 (13) (ct) 2m., 103.34 (1) (b) 2., 111.335 (1m) (b) 1., 111.335 (1m) (d) 1., 165.84 (7) (ab) 1., 165.93 (1) (b), 301.046 (4) (b) (intro.), 301.048 (2) (bm) 1. a., 301.048 (4m) (b) (intro.), 301.45 (1d) (b), 302.05 (3) (a) 1., 302.105 (2) (intro.), 302.11 (1g) (a) 2., 302.116 (1) (a), 303.068 (4m) (b) (intro.), 304.06 (1) (d) 1., 304.06 (1) (em), 304.06 (2m) (a), 304.063 (2) (intro.), 343.06 (1) (i), 343.30 (2d), 440.312 (2), 440.982 (2), 767.461 (4), 901.08 (1) (b), 938.34 (3) (a) 2., 938.34 (3) (b) 2., 938.34 (15m) (bm), 939.615 (1) (b) 1., 939.62 (2m) (a) 1m. a., 939.62 (2m) (a) 2m. b., 939.632 (1) (e) 1., 939.74 (2) (c), 941.29 (1g) (a), 941.291 (1) (b), 948.13 (1) (a), 948.21 (1) (a), 949.03 (2), 968.28, 969.001 (3) (a), 969.08 (10) (b), 971.17 (1m) (b) 2m., 972.11 (2) (b) (intro.), 973.01 (3g), 973.0135 (1) (b) 2., 973.048 (2m), 973.176 (3), 973.20 (4m) and 980.01 (6) (a); to create 343.12 (7) (c) 18m., 786.36 (1m) (c) 16m. and 948.072 of the statutes; Relating to: creating a crime of grooming a child for sexual activity and providing a penalty.

Sponsored By: Brent Jacobson (Republican), Elijah Behnke (Republican), Lindee Brill (Republican), Calvin Callahan (Republican), Ben DeSmidt (Democratic), Barbara Dittrich (Republican), Bob Donovan (Republican), Cindi Duchow (Republican), Benjamin Franklin (Republican), Chanz Green (Republican), Rick Gundrum (Republican), Nate Gustafson (Republican), Karen Hurd (Republican), Dean Kaufert (Republican), Joel Kitchens (Republican), Daniel Knodl (Republican), Rob Kreibich (Republican), Dave Maxey (Republican), Clint Moses (Republican), David Murphy (Republican), Jeffrey Mursau (Republican), Amanda Nedweski (Republican), Todd Novak (Republican), Jerry O'Connor (Republican), William Penterman (Republican), Jim Piwowarczyk (Republican), Patrick Snyder (Republican), David Steffen (Republican), Ron Tusler (Republican), Chuck Wichgers (Republican)

Became Law

ChildrenCrime and criminals -- FelonyLegislature -- Criminal PenaltiesJoint Review Committee onSchool -- EmployeeSex crimes

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

13 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 6 costs, 2 mixed.

New felony: grooming a child

The law makes grooming a child a crime. It covers a course of conduct meant to condition, lure, or entice a child for sex or for making sexual images. Penalties are felonies: Class G in general; Class F if the offender is in a position of trust; Class E if the child has a known disability; and Class D if two or more children are involved. There is a narrow age exception: it does not apply if the actor is under 19 and the child is no more than 4 years younger, unless force, coercion, or abuse of trust occurs. The new prior-offense counting rule applies only to crimes committed on the law’s effective date and still lets courts count other prior convictions under existing rules.

Grooming can end rights and block placement

A grooming conviction, a no-contest plea, or a charge dismissed or amended in a plea deal can be used to end parental rights. Judges can also find a relative’s home or an unlicensed caregiver’s home unsafe for placement if that person has a grooming record. These rules apply in child welfare and juvenile placement decisions.

Up to $10,000 for victim counseling

If the court finds the crime was sexually motivated, it can order the defendant to pay for needed psychiatric or psychological care for the victim, up to $10,000. The judge orders the lesser of the actual cost or $10,000. This cap applies only to that counseling category; other restitution follows separate rules.

Protective orders now cover grooming

Victims and families can seek a court protective order based on grooming. The law names grooming as a qualifying reason under the protective order statute.

Stronger investigations and court rules for grooming

Police can seek wiretap orders in grooming cases. Prosecutors can charge attempts, conspiracies, and solicitations tied to grooming. The time limit to start a grooming case runs until the victim turns 45. Courts limit evidence about a complainant’s past sexual conduct, with narrow exceptions. Grooming counts as sexual assault, sexual misconduct, and a serious crime in laws that use those terms.

Tougher sentencing and supervision for grooming

Grooming a child is now treated as a violent and serious sex offense under several laws. Courts and corrections count it on key felony, sentencing, and supervision lists. People convicted can be evaluated for sexually violent person commitment. Judges must decide earned release eligibility at sentencing, and grooming is excluded from a special early-release category. Cross-references are updated so these tougher rules apply whenever the law uses those offense lists.

Driver licenses can be denied after grooming

The law adds grooming to the list of crimes that can lead to denial of an operator’s license. People with that conviction can be barred from getting a driver license when the statute calls for denial.

Juvenile reporting and records for grooming

When a juvenile is found to have committed, solicited, conspired to commit, or attempted grooming, the court requires them to follow sex offender reporting rules unless the law allows an exemption. Grooming is added to the list of offenses that trigger juvenile reporting. If a grooming charge ends in a no-contest plea, or is dismissed or amended in a plea deal, that result is recorded in the juvenile disposition record.

Sex-offender registration now covers grooming

Grooming a child for sexual activity now counts as a child sex offense. People convicted, or found not guilty by reason of mental disease, are ordered to follow sex-offender reporting unless a court says otherwise after a hearing. Courts can also require reporting as a condition of probation. At sentencing or when probation starts, judges must tell defendants about rules and penalties for working with children.

Job and child-care bans after grooming

Grooming is now a listed serious crime for youth-serving groups and child-care licensing. Agencies and boards can deny, suspend, or refuse child-care licenses and many public jobs to people with a grooming conviction, a no-contest plea, or a plea deal that dismisses or amends the charge. Similar out-of-state crimes also count.

Job and license bans after grooming convictions

Employers using required background checks must consider a grooming conviction. Agencies can deny certain certifications and some professional or occupational licenses if you have a grooming conviction. These limits make it harder to get or keep covered jobs and credentials.

More victim notice and voice on release

Corrections staff must try to notify listed people before confining, releasing, or granting leave to someone convicted of grooming. They must also try to notify when that person enters intensive sanctions, or before parole or extended supervision releases. The parole commission must tell victims and families how they can give statements. It must set clear rules that let victims give input in parole decisions.

Driving limits after grooming convictions

A grooming conviction can lead a court to suspend your driving privileges if driving would harm public safety. The state can also refuse to issue a driver’s license for the same reason. These limits can affect daily travel and work.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Rob Hutton
Republican • Senate
Jesse James
Republican • Senate
Howard Marklein
Republican • Senate
Steve Nass
Republican • Senate
Romaine Quinn
Republican • Senate
Van Wanggaard
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 93 • No: 6

House vote • 1/13/2026

Read a third time and passed, Ayes 93, Noes 6

Yes: 93 • No: 6

Actions Timeline

Published 3-7-2026
3/6/2026House
Report approved by the Governor on 3-6-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 88
3/6/2026House
Presented to the Governor on 3-5-2026
3/5/2026House
Report correctly enrolled on 2-13-2026
2/13/2026House
LRB correction
2/13/2026House
LRB correction (Assembly Amendment 1)
2/13/2026House
Received from Senate concurred in
2/12/2026House
Ordered immediately messaged
2/11/2026Senate
Read a third time and concurred in
2/11/2026Senate
Rules suspended to give bill its third reading
2/11/2026Senate
Ordered to a third reading
2/11/2026Senate
Read a second time
2/11/2026Senate
Placed on calendar 2-11-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
2/9/2026Senate
Available for scheduling
2/3/2026Senate
Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Education, Ayes 5, Noes 0
2/3/2026Senate
Executive action taken
2/3/2026Senate
Public hearing held
1/28/2026Senate
Read first time and referred to committee on Education
1/14/2026Senate
Received from Assembly
1/14/2026Senate
Ordered immediately messaged
1/13/2026House
Read a third time and passed, Ayes 93, Noes 6
1/13/2026House
Rules suspended
1/13/2026House
Ordered to a third reading
1/13/2026House
Assembly Amendment 1 adopted
1/13/2026House
Read a second time
1/13/2026House

Bill Text

Assembly Amendment 1
1/13/2026
HTML PDF
Bill Text
HTML PDF

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