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WI AB743
WI AB743Considering post-traumatic stress disorder as a mitigating factor in sentencing certain criminal offenders. (FE)
summary
Introduced
12/03/2025
12/03/2025
In Committee
12/03/2025
12/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under current law, when a court makes a sentencing decision concerning a person convicted of a criminal offense, the court must consider the protection of the public, the gravity of the offense, the rehabilitative needs of the defendant, and any applicable mitigating factors or aggravating factors to the crime. This bill creates a new mitigating factor. Under this bill, when a court makes a sentencing decision concerning a person who is a military veteran and has been diagnosed as suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from the person’s military service, the court may consider that diagnosis as a mitigating factor. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Wisconsin state law to recognize post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a potential mitigating factor during sentencing for military veterans. Specifically, the bill defines a "veteran" as someone who served in the U.S. armed forces or in forces incorporated as part of the U.S. armed forces, and allows courts to consider a veteran's PTSD diagnosis resulting from military service as a mitigating circumstance when making sentencing decisions. This means that if a veteran with a diagnosed PTSD condition is convicted of a criminal offense, the court may take their mental health condition into account as a factor that could potentially reduce their sentence. The bill amends existing sentencing statutes to explicitly include this new mitigating factor, highlighting a recognition of the potential psychological impacts of military service and an effort to provide some additional considerations in the criminal justice process for veterans who may be struggling with trauma-related mental health challenges.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (25)
Margaret Arney (D)*,
Mike Bare (D)*,
Alex Joers (D)*,
Dean Kaufert (R)*,
Maureen McCarville (D)*,
Vincent Miresse (D)*,
Greta Neubauer (D)*,
Lori Palmeri (D)*,
Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D)*,
Ann Roe (D)*,
Christine Sinicki (D)*,
Angela Stroud (D)*,
Shelia Stubbs (D)*,
Lisa Subeck (D)*,
Angelito Tenorio (D)*,
Randy Udell (D)*,
Tim Carpenter (D),
Dora Drake (D),
Jodi Habush Sinykin (D),
Dianne Hesselbein (D),
LaTonya Johnson (D),
Chris Larson (D),
Melissa Ratcliff (D),
Jeff Smith (D),
Mark Spreitzer (D),
Last Action
Representative Moore Omokunde added as a coauthor (on 02/17/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab743 |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB743.pdf |
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