An Act to renumber 940.198 (1) (a) and 971.109 (1) (a); to renumber and amend 939.623 (1); to amend 343.12 (7) (c) 9j., 813.12 (5b), 813.123 (6g), 813.125 (5b), 911.01 (4) (c), 939.623 (title), 939.623 (2) (intro.), 939.623 (3), 940.198 (title), 940.198 (1) (b), 940.198 (2) (a), 940.198 (2) (b), 940.198 (2) (c), 940.198 (3) (a), 940.198 (3) (b), 940.198 (3) (c), 940.198 (4), 971.109 (title), 971.109 (2) (a) and 971.109 (2) (c); and to create 813.12 (1) (ab), 813.125 (1) (am) 2., 939.623 (1) (b), 940.198 (1) (ag), 940.225 (1) (e) and 971.109 (1) (ac) of the statutes; Relating to: increased penalties for crimes against adults at risk; restraining orders for adults at risk; freezing assets of a defendant charged with financial exploitation of an adult at risk; sexual assault of an adult at risk; and providing a penalty.
Sponsored By: Scott Allen (Republican), Elijah Behnke (Republican), Barbara Dittrich (Republican), Bob Donovan (Republican), Rick Gundrum (Republican), Daniel Knodl (Republican), Rob Kreibich (Republican), David Murphy (Republican), Jeffrey Mursau (Republican), Ron Tusler (Republican), Chuck Wichgers (Republican)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Asset freezes protect elders’ and at-risk adults’ money
Wisconsin prosecutors can seek asset freezes when defendants face financial-exploitation charges involving elders age 60 or older, or adults at risk. The alleged taking or loss must exceed $2,500; courts can freeze up to 100% of the alleged property value. Orders can block selling, giving away, transferring, or wasting assets and bind banks and third parties holding them. Courts can hold hearings without the defendant present and without strictly applying the usual evidence rules. A freeze preserves assets for possible repayment to victims but can restrict defendants’ household access to money and property.
Stronger protections and penalties for at-risk victims
Wisconsin extends criminal protections for elders age 60 and older to adults at risk, as defined by state law. Second-degree sexual assault against an adult at risk becomes first-degree assault, raising the felony class from C to B. Physical abuse penalties depend on the conduct and harm: great bodily harm is Class C; bodily harm is Class H. Bodily harm likely to cause great bodily harm is Class F; recklessly causing great bodily harm is Class E. Other covered reckless abuse carries Class H or I penalties. Courts can raise a prison maximum of one year or less to two years. Maximums over one year through 10 years can increase by four years; those over 10 years by six years. These penalties apply even when offenders did not know the victim’s age or at-risk status.
Remote protection hearings for at-risk adults
Wisconsin expands civil protection rules to include adults at risk. Courts must allow elder or adult-at-risk petitioners to join domestic-abuse and harassment restraining-order hearings by phone or live video. Elder protections cover people age 60 and older. Individual-at-risk petitioners also have this remote option in individual-at-risk protection proceedings.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Scott Allen
Republican • House
Elijah Behnke
Republican • House
Barbara Dittrich
Republican • House
Bob Donovan
Republican • House
Rick Gundrum
Republican • House
Daniel Knodl
Republican • House
Rob Kreibich
Republican • House
David Murphy
Republican • House
Jeffrey Mursau
Republican • House
Ron Tusler
Republican • House
Chuck Wichgers
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Tim Carpenter
Democratic • Senate
Kristin Dassler-Alfheim
Democratic • Senate
André Jacque
Republican • Senate
Lisa Subeck
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Published 4-3-2026
4/2/2026HouseReport approved by the Governor on 4-2-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 149
4/2/2026HousePresented to the Governor on 4-1-2026
4/1/2026HouseReport correctly enrolled on 1-22-2026
1/23/2026HouseReceived from Senate concurred in
1/22/2026HouseOrdered immediately messaged
1/21/2026SenateRead a third time and concurred in
1/21/2026SenateRules suspended to give bill its third reading
1/21/2026SenateOrdered to a third reading
1/21/2026SenateRead a second time
1/21/2026SenateSenator Dassler-Alfheim added as a cosponsor
1/21/2026SenatePlaced on calendar 1-21-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
1/16/2026SenatePublic hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
1/16/2026SenateRepresentative Subeck added as a coauthor
1/15/2026SenateAvailable for scheduling
1/14/2026SenateRead first time and referred to committee on Senate Organization
1/14/2026SenateReceived from Assembly
1/14/2026SenateOrdered immediately messaged
1/13/2026HouseRead a third time and passed
1/13/2026HouseRules suspended
1/13/2026HouseOrdered to a third reading
1/13/2026HouseAssembly Amendment 1 adopted
1/13/2026HouseRead a second time
1/13/2026HousePlaced on calendar 1-13-2026 by Committee on Rules
1/8/2026HouseReferred to committee on Rules
12/17/2025House
Bill Text
Assembly Amendment 1
1/13/2026
Bill Text
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