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Bill > SB132
WI SB132
Classification of the crime of impersonating law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and certain other emergency personnel and providing a penalty.
summary
Introduced
03/14/2025
03/14/2025
In Committee
03/14/2025
03/14/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under current law, a person may not impersonate a peace officer, a fire fighter, an emergency services medical practitioner, or an emergency medical provider with the intent to mislead others into believing that the person is actually an officer, a fire fighter, or emergency personnel. Current law classifies the crime as a Class A misdemeanor. This bill changes the classification to a Class I felony. 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.
AI Summary
This bill increases the criminal penalty for impersonating emergency personnel from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class I felony. Specifically, the bill modifies existing Wisconsin statute 946.70 to change the punishment for anyone who impersonates a peace officer, fire fighter, emergency medical services practitioner, or emergency medical responder with the intent to mislead others into believing they are actually that type of emergency personnel. A Class A misdemeanor typically involves potential jail time up to one year, while a Class I felony can result in more serious consequences, potentially including longer imprisonment. The bill removes the phrase "Except as provided in sub. (2)" from the existing law and eliminates the specific reference to a Class A misdemeanor penalty, instead establishing a blanket Class I felony classification for such impersonations under Section 1 of the bill. This change suggests the legislature views impersonating emergency personnel as a more serious offense that warrants stricter criminal penalties, likely to protect public safety and maintain the integrity of emergency response systems.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (10)
Julian Bradley (R)*,
Jesse James (R)*,
Steve Nass (R)*,
Elijah Behnke (R),
Robert Donovan (R),
Rick Gundrum (R),
Rob Kreibich (R),
Dave Maxey (R),
Dave Murphy (R),
Chuck Wichgers (R),
Last Action
Read first time and referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety (on 03/14/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb132 |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB132.pdf |
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