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Bill > SB380


WI SB380

WI SB380
Eliminating criminal defenses of adequate provocation, self-defense, or not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect if the claim is based on the victim’s gender identity or sexual orientation.


summary

Introduced
07/28/2025
In Committee
07/28/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Current law provides specific defenses to criminal liability. For instance, a charge of first-degree intentional homicide may be mitigated to second-degree intentional homicide if, at the time of committing the crime, the defendant reasonably believes the victim has done something that adequately provokes the defendant to lack self-control completely. Another defense is the privilege of self- defense under which a person may threaten or intentionally use force against another for the purpose of preventing or terminating what the person reasonably believes to be an unlawful interference with their person by the other person. Under this bill, a defendant may not assert adequate provocation or self-defense as a defense if the criminal action in question resulted from the discovery of, knowledge about, or potential disclosure of the victim[s gender identity or expression or sexual orientation, including under circumstances in which the LRB-3389/1 CMH:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 380 victim made a romantic or sexual advance without use or threat of force or violence toward the defendant or in which the victim dated or had a romantic or sexual relationship with the defendant. Under current law, a person is not responsible for criminal conduct if, when the person committed the conduct, they were suffering from a mental disease or defect so that they lacked substantial capacity either to appreciate the wrongfulness of the conduct or to conform their conduct to the requirements of law. To raise this defense, a defendant must plead not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. Then, at the trial, if the defendant is found guilty of the crime, the court must determine if the person is not responsible for the crime due to mental disease or defect. If the person is found not responsible due to mental disease or defect, the person is committed to the Department of Heath Services for treatment for a period that varies depending on the severity of the crime. Under this bill, mental disease or defect does not include a state that is brought on by or results from the discovery of, knowledge about, or potential disclosure of another[s gender identity or expression or sexual orientation, including under circumstances in which the other person made a romantic or sexual advance without use or threat of force or violence toward the defendant or in which the other person dated or had a romantic or sexual relationship with the defendant.

AI Summary

This bill eliminates certain criminal defenses when they are based on the victim's gender identity or sexual orientation. Specifically, the bill prevents defendants from claiming adequate provocation, self-defense, or using a mental disease or defect defense if the criminal action stemmed from discovering or learning about the victim's gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. This applies in situations such as when a victim made a romantic or sexual advance without force, or when the defendant and victim had a previous romantic or sexual relationship. The bill aims to prevent defendants from using the victim's gender identity or sexual orientation as a justification for violent actions, addressing a legal loophole that could potentially allow discrimination or violence against LGBTQ+ individuals. By creating these new provisions in Wisconsin statutes, the bill seeks to provide additional protection for individuals from being blamed or having their actions legally excused based on bias or panic related to sexual orientation or gender identity.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (48)

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)* Brad Pfaff (D)* Melissa Ratcliff (D)* Kelda Roys (D)* Jeff Smith (D)* Mark Spreitzer (D)* Jamie Wall (D)* Bob Wirch (D)* Clint Anderson (D),  Margaret Arney (D),  Mike Bare (D),  Ryan Clancy (D),  Angelina Cruz (D),  Karen DeSanto (D),  Ben DeSmidt (D),  Jodene Emerson (D),  Joan Fitzgerald (D),  Francesca Hong (D),  Alex Joers (D),  Tara Johnson (D),  Karen Kirsch (D),  Darrin Madison (D),  Renuka Mayadev (D),  Maureen McCarville (D),  Vincent Miresse (D),  Supreme Moore Omokunde (D),  Greta Neubauer (D),  Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D),  Lori Palmeri (D),  Christian Phelps (D),  Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D),  Ann Roe (D),  Joe Sheehan (D),  Lee Snodgrass (D),  Ryan Spaude (D),  Angela Stroud (D),  Shelia Stubbs (D),  Lisa Subeck (D),  Angelito Tenorio (D),  Randy Udell (D),  Robyn Vining (D), 

Last Action

Representative J. Jacobson added as a cosponsor (on 01/09/2026)

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