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Bill > AB730

WI AB730

WI AB730
In-person visiting periods for inmates of state correctional institutions and county jails or houses of correction. (FE)

summary

Introduced
12/03/2025
In Committee
12/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill provides that any visitor to a state correctional institution or county jail or house of correction must be registered as a visitor of the inmate he or she is visiting and that an inmate may designate up to 25 individuals to be registered as his or her visitors. The bill outlines the process required to remove a visitor from an inmate’s registration list. The bill requires the Department of Corrections to allow each inmate of a state correctional institution and sheriffs to allow each inmate of a county jail or house of correction at least two in-person visiting periods per week unless the inmate is subject to a lockdown or is in solitary confinement. If the inmate is subject to a lockdown or is in solitary confinement, DOC or the sheriff may deny visits for a period not to exceed 10 consecutive days. The bill also requires the warden or superintendent of a state correctional institution or the sheriff for a county jail or house of correction to allow an inmate to physically embrace each visitor for at least 20 seconds at the beginning and end of each visiting period. The bill additionally requires the warden or superintendent of a state correctional institution or the sheriff for a county jail or house of correction to provide each visitor with paper, a pen or pencil, and crayons or markers to use during a visit and requires that inmates be allowed to keep an original note, drawing, or other original work if it was created during a visit using the materials that were provided by the warden, superintendent, or sheriff. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill creates new regulations for in-person visitation in state correctional institutions and county jails, establishing comprehensive guidelines for inmate visits. The bill defines a "visitor" as a person visiting an inmate who is not an employee, volunteer, attorney, or government official, and allows each inmate to register up to 25 individuals as approved visitors. Inmates and visitors can request removal from a visitor list, and any removal must be accompanied by a written explanation and be subject to an appeal process. The bill mandates that both state correctional institutions and county jails provide inmates with at least two in-person visiting periods per week, with an exception allowing visits to be denied for up to 10 consecutive days during a lockdown or solitary confinement. A key provision requires wardens, superintendents, and sheriffs to allow inmates to physically embrace visitors for a minimum of 20 seconds at the beginning and end of each visit. Additionally, the bill requires these facilities to provide visitors with writing materials (paper, pens/pencils, and crayons/markers) upon request, and allows inmates to keep any original notes, drawings, or works created during the visit using these provided materials. This legislation aims to humanize the visitation experience for inmates and maintain their connections with family and friends while providing some flexibility for institutional security needs.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (16)

Last Action

Representative Moore Omokunde added as a coauthor (on 01/21/2026)
(1 Companion Bills)

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