summary
Introduced
10/09/2025
10/09/2025
In Committee
12/17/2025
12/17/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
The Department of Justice currently administers several alert systems, under which DOJ works with law enforcement agencies, broadcasters, and others to disseminate information regarding certain cases involving endangered children, veterans at risk, missing persons at risk, and missing children at risk. These alerts are commonly known, respectively, as Amber Alerts, Green Alerts, Silver Alerts, or Missing Child Alerts. Under current law, the Missing Child Alert applies to a missing person under 18 who is not covered by the Amber Alert if the minor is believed to be incapable of returning home without assistance due to a physical or mental condition or disability or if the minor is under 10. Under this bill, the minor must be under 12 instead of under 10 before a Missing Child Alert could be issued for the missing minor without further conditions.
AI Summary
This bill modifies the existing Missing Child Alert system in Wisconsin by changing the age threshold for issuing an alert. Currently, a Missing Child Alert can be issued for a person under 18 who is either believed to be incapable of returning home without assistance due to a physical or mental condition or disability, or who is under 10 years old. The bill raises the age threshold from under 10 to under 12 years old, which means that children between 10 and 12 who go missing and meet the other criteria (being unable to return home without assistance) would now be eligible for a Missing Child Alert. This change expands the circumstances under which law enforcement and other partners can quickly disseminate information about a missing child, potentially increasing the chances of a safe recovery. The bill is part of Wisconsin's broader alert systems designed to help locate and protect vulnerable individuals, such as Amber Alerts for abducted children and Silver Alerts for missing seniors.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (42)
Clint Anderson (D)*,
Elijah Behnke (R)*,
Ryan Clancy (D)*,
Barbara Dittrich (R)*,
Joan Fitzgerald (D)*,
Benjamin Franklin (R)*,
Joy Goeben (R)*,
Kalan Haywood (D)*,
Alex Joers (D)*,
Tara Johnson (D)*,
Dean Kaufert (R)*,
Joel Kitchens (R)*,
Darrin Madison (D)*,
Maureen McCarville (D)*,
Paul Melotik (R)*,
Vincent Miresse (D)*,
Dave Murphy (R)*,
Jeff Mursau (R)*,
Jerry O'Connor (R)*,
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D)*,
Lori Palmeri (D)*,
Christian Phelps (D)*,
Jim Piwowarczyk (R)*,
Jessie Rodriguez (R)*,
Ann Roe (D)*,
Joe Sheehan (D)*,
Christine Sinicki (D)*,
Lee Snodgrass (D)*,
John Spiros (R)*,
David Steffen (R)*,
Angela Stroud (D)*,
Shelia Stubbs (D)*,
Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D),
Jesse James (R),
LaTonya Johnson (D),
Sarah Keyeski (D),
Chris Larson (D),
Howard Marklein (R),
Brad Pfaff (D),
Melissa Ratcliff (D),
Kelda Roys (D),
Mark Spreitzer (D),
Last Action
Representative J. Jacobson added as a coauthor (on 02/09/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab477 |
| AB477 ROCP for Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/assembly/criminal_justice_and_public_safety/1955422.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB477.pdf |
Loading...