All Roll Calls
Yes: 95 • No: 1
WisconsinAB9232025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)House
An Act to create 895.439 of the statutes; Relating to: creating a civil cause of action for sexual extortion.
Sponsored By: Brent Jacobson (Republican), Elijah Behnke (Republican), Lindee Brill (Republican), Barbara Dittrich (Republican), Rick Gundrum (Republican), Daniel Knodl (Republican), Rob Kreibich (Republican), Dave Maxey (Republican), Clint Moses (Republican), David Murphy (Republican), Jeffrey Mursau (Republican), Jerry O'Connor (Republican), Jim Piwowarczyk (Republican), Patrick Snyder (Republican), John Spiros (Republican), Paul Tittl (Republican)
Became Law
Court -- ProcedureCrime and criminalsCrime victimDamage (personal injury)Sex crimes
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Families can sue after extortion‑driven suicide
The estate’s personal representative, or the person who would receive the recovery, can bring a wrongful-death claim when sexual extortion is a substantial cause of a person’s suicide. No wrongful-death damages cap applies in these cases. This opens the door to full compensation against the people who engaged in the extortion.
Victims can sue for sexual extortion
This law lets you sue for harms caused by sexual extortion. You can file if you suffered physical injury, emotional distress, or lost property. A parent or guardian can sue for a child. A personal representative can sue if the victim died. If you win, you can get special and general damages, money for emotional distress, punitive damages, and reasonable attorney fees and investigation and court costs. You can bring this civil case even if there is no criminal case, or if a criminal case ends without a conviction.
Privacy protections for sexual extortion lawsuits
You may file using your initials, plus your age and county, instead of your full name and address on public papers. Your lawyer must give the court your real information, and the court keeps it confidential while sharing it with the parties as needed. The court can order protections to prevent harassment or embarrassment, limit long or repeat physical or mental exams, and keep legally confidential information private until used in open court.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Brent Jacobson
Republican • House
Elijah Behnke
Republican • House
Lindee Brill
Republican • House
Barbara Dittrich
Republican • House
Rick Gundrum
Republican • House
Daniel Knodl
Republican • House
Rob Kreibich
Republican • House
Dave Maxey
Republican • House
Clint Moses
Republican • House
David Murphy
Republican • House
Jeffrey Mursau
Republican • House
Jerry O'Connor
Republican • House
Jim Piwowarczyk
Republican • House
Patrick Snyder
Republican • House
John Spiros
Republican • House
Paul Tittl
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Andrew Hysell
Democratic • House
Jesse James
Republican • Senate
Darrin Madison
Democratic • House
Christian Phelps
Democratic • House
Romaine Quinn
Republican • Senate
David Steffen
Republican • House
Lisa Subeck
Democratic • House
Van Wanggaard
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/19/2026
Read a third time and passed, Ayes 95, Noes 1
Yes: 95 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Published 4-9-2026
4/9/2026HouseReport approved by the Governor on 4-8-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 215
4/9/2026HousePresented to the Governor on 4-2-2026
4/2/2026HouseReport correctly enrolled on 3-23-2026
3/23/2026HouseReceived from Senate concurred in
3/18/2026HouseOrdered immediately messaged
3/17/2026SenateRead a third time and concurred in
3/17/2026SenateRules suspended to give bill its third reading
3/17/2026SenateOrdered to a third reading
3/17/2026SenateRead a second time
3/17/2026SenateSenators Ratcliff and Smith added as cosponsors
3/17/2026SenatePlaced on calendar 3-17-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
3/16/2026SenatePublic hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
3/16/2026SenateAvailable for scheduling
3/3/2026SenateReport concurrence recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 8, Noes 0
3/3/2026SenateExecutive action taken
3/3/2026SenateRead first time and referred to committee on Judiciary and Public Safety
2/27/2026SenateRepresentative Subeck added as a coauthor
2/26/2026SenateReceived from Assembly
2/23/2026SenateOrdered immediately messaged
2/19/2026HouseRead a third time and passed, Ayes 95, Noes 1
2/19/2026HouseRules suspended
2/19/2026HouseOrdered to a third reading
2/19/2026HouseRead a second time
2/19/2026HouseRepresentatives Clancy, Hong and Miresse added as coauthors
2/19/2026House
Bill Text
Bill Text
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