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Bill > SB329


WI SB329

Extreme risk protection temporary restraining orders and injunctions, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE)


summary

Introduced
06/19/2025
In Committee
06/19/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Under current law, a person is prohibited from possessing a firearm, and must surrender all firearms, if the person is subject to a domestic abuse injunction, a child abuse injunction, or, in certain cases, a harassment or an individuals-at-risk injunction. If a person surrenders a firearm because the person is subject to one of those injunctions, the firearm may not be returned to the person until a court determines that the injunction has been vacated or has expired and that the person is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm. A person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm under such an injunction is guilty of a Class G felony for violating the prohibition. This bill creates an extreme risk protection temporary restraining order and injunction to prohibit a person from possessing a firearm. Under the bill, either a law enforcement officer or a family or household member of the person may file a LRB-3517/1 CMH:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 329 petition with a court to request an extreme risk protection injunction. The petition must allege facts that show that the person is substantially likely to injure themself or another if the person possesses a firearm. Under the bill, the petitioner may request the court to consider first granting a temporary restraining order. If the petitioner requests a TRO, the petitioner must include evidence that there is an immediate and present danger that the person may injure themself or another if the person possesses a firearm and that waiting for the injunction hearing increases the immediate and present danger. If the petitioner requests a TRO, the court must hear the petition in an expedited manner. The judge must issue a TRO if, after questioning the petitioner and witnesses or relying on affidavits, the judge determines that it is substantially likely that the petition for an injunction will be granted and the judge finds good cause to believe there is an immediate and present danger that the person will injure themself or another if the person has a firearm and that waiting for the injunction hearing may increase the immediate and present danger. If the judge issues a TRO, the TRO is in effect until the injunction hearing, which must occur within 14 days of the TRO issuance. The TRO must require a law enforcement officer to personally serve the person with the order and to require the person to immediately surrender all firearms in their possession. If a law enforcement officer is unable to personally serve the person, then the TRO requires the person to surrender within 24 hours all firearms to a law enforcement officer or a firearms dealer and to provide the court a receipt indicating the surrender occurred. At the injunction hearing, the court may grant an extreme risk protection injunction ordering the person to refrain from possessing a firearm and, if the person was not subject to a TRO, to surrender all firearms he or she possesses if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the person is substantially likely to injure themself or another if the person possesses a firearm. An extreme risk protection injunction is effective for up to one year and may be renewed. A person who is subject to an extreme risk protection injunction may petition to vacate the injunction. If a person surrenders a firearm because the person is subject to an extreme risk protection TRO or injunction, the firearm may not be returned to the person until a court determines that the TRO has expired or the injunction has been vacated or has expired and that the person is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm. A person who possesses a firearm while subject to an extreme risk protection TRO or injunction is guilty of a Class G felony. In addition, a person who files a petition for an extreme risk protection injunction, knowing the information in the petition to be false, is guilty of the crime of false swearing, a Class H felony. The bill also requires the Department of Administration to award grants to law enforcement agencies for the purpose of training officers how to identify persons who are substantially likely to injure themselves or another if the person possesses a firearm and how to file a petition for an extreme risk protection TRO or injunction. LRB-3517/1 CMH:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 329 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 creates a new legal mechanism called an extreme risk protection order (ERPO) that allows law enforcement officers or family members to petition a court to temporarily prohibit a person from possessing firearms if they are deemed to be a substantial risk to themselves or others. Under the bill, a petitioner can request a temporary restraining order (TRO) if they can provide evidence of an immediate danger, which must be heard by a court in an expedited manner. If granted, the TRO requires the respondent to surrender all firearms within 24 hours and remains in effect until an injunction hearing within 14 days. At the injunction hearing, the court can issue an extreme risk protection injunction lasting up to one year if there is clear and convincing evidence that the person is likely to cause harm. The bill also includes provisions for the respondent to request a vacating of the injunction and establishes penalties for false petitions. Additionally, the bill appropriates $700,000 in grants to train law enforcement on identifying individuals who may pose a risk and how to file ERPO petitions. The legislation amends various existing statutes to integrate these new provisions into Wisconsin's legal framework, including updating firearm restriction record searches and background check procedures to include ERPO information.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (44)

Tim Carpenter (D)* Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D)* Dora Drake (D)* Jodi Habush Sinykin (D)* Dianne Hesselbein (D)* LaTonya Johnson (D)* Sarah Keyeski (D)* Chris Larson (D)* Melissa Ratcliff (D)* Kelda Roys (D)* Jeff Smith (D)* Mark Spreitzer (D)* Clint Anderson (D),  Deb Andraca (D),  Margaret Arney (D),  Mike Bare (D),  Brienne Brown (D),  Angelina Cruz (D),  Ben DeSmidt (D),  Jodene Emerson (D),  Joan Fitzgerald (D),  Russell Goodwin (D),  Kalan Haywood (D),  Andrew Hysell (D),  Alex Joers (D),  Tara Johnson (D),  Karen Kirsch (D),  Renuka Mayadev (D),  Vincent Miresse (D),  Supreme Moore Omokunde (D),  Greta Neubauer (D),  Lori Palmeri (D),  Pricilla Prado (D),  Ann Roe (D),  Joe Sheehan (D),  Christine Sinicki (D),  Lee Snodgrass (D),  Angela Stroud (D),  Shelia Stubbs (D),  Lisa Subeck (D),  Sequanna Taylor (D),  Angelito Tenorio (D),  Randy Udell (D),  Robyn Vining (D), 

Last Action

Fiscal estimate received (on 07/03/2025)

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