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Bill > AB86


WI AB86

WI AB86
Imposing the penalty of life imprisonment for the crime of child trafficking and providing a penalty. (FE)


summary

Introduced
02/28/2025
In Committee
03/14/2025
Crossed Over
03/13/2025
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Under current law, a person who is convicted of the crime of trafficking a child, or who knowingly benefits from the crime of trafficking a child, is guilty of a Class C felony. This bill increases the penalty to a Class A felony if the crime involved at least three victims who were children at the time the crime was committed. A Class A felony carries a penalty of life imprisonment. Under current law, the court must impose a bifurcated sentence on a person who is being sentenced for a felony that was committed on or after December 31, 1999. A bifurcated sentence is a sentence that comprises a term of confinement in prison followed by a term of extended supervision in the community. Under current law, a court that sentences a person who has been convicted of a Class A felony committed on or after December 31, 1999, must determine one of the following: 1) the person is eligible for release to extended supervision after serving a 20-year term of confinement in prison; 2) the person is eligible for release to extended supervision on a certain date that is after the person serves a 20-year term of confinement in prison; or 3) the person is not eligible for release to extended supervision. Under this bill, a person is not eligible for release to extended supervision if the person is convicted of a Class A felony violation of trafficking a child. 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. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill significantly strengthens penalties for child trafficking by creating a new sentencing structure for individuals who recruit, entice, transport, or engage in commercial sex acts involving children. Under the new law, if a person commits child trafficking involving at least three child victims, they will be charged with a Class A felony, which carries a mandatory life imprisonment sentence without the possibility of extended supervision. The bill expands the definition of child trafficking to include additional actions like selling, purchasing, transferring, receiving, isolating, holding, confining, or depriving children of liberty for commercial sex acts. Moreover, the bill modifies several existing statutes to ensure that individuals convicted under this new provision are ineligible for work release, parole supervision, or extended supervision. By creating this enhanced penalty, the legislation aims to provide more severe consequences for those who exploit children and to prioritize protecting minors from trafficking and sexual abuse.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (11)

Last Action

Fiscal estimate received (on 04/15/2025)

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