Bill > SB716

This bill amends Wisconsin state law to allow courts to consider post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a mitigating factor when sentencing military veterans. Specifically, the bill defines a "veteran" as a person who served in the U.S. armed forces or in forces incorporated into the U.S. armed forces, and provides that when sentencing a veteran, a court may take into account a diagnosis of PTSD that resulted from the person's military service. This provision is added to the existing sentencing guidelines, which already require courts to consider factors such as public protection, offense severity, and rehabilitation needs. The bill modifies the state statutes to explicitly include this new mitigating factor, potentially allowing judges more discretion in sentencing veterans who may be struggling with the psychological impacts of their military service. The changes will apply to offenses committed on the effective date of the law.

Justice

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb716