BillTrack50 logo
Free Signup Login
Bill

Bill > AB725

WI AB725

WI AB725
Reporting of and notifications about restricted movement and solitary confinement in state correctional institutions and county jails and making an appropriation. (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 requires the Department of Corrections to establish and maintain on its website an interactive reporting system that reports all of the following for each state correctional institution or county jail: 1) whether any type of restriction upon an inmate or group of inmates that affects availability for visiting periods or communication is in effect at that state correctional institution or county jail, and if a restriction is in effect, a statement identifying the reason that the restriction is in effect and how long the restriction has been in effect; 2) the number of inmates who are currently being held in solitary confinement; and 3) the total number of inmates being held. The bill requires sheriffs to report to DOC on a weekly basis the information about inmate movement restrictions, solitary confinement, and inmate total in the county jail that must be reported in the DOC reporting system and requires DOC to furnish sheriffs with instructions, a format, and the process for sending the information. Under the bill, the reporting system must be active six months after the bill’s passage, and until the reporting system is active, DOC must report to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature twice per week on any partial or full prison lockdowns that are currently in effect and once every three months on the total number of individuals who have been placed in solitary confinement during that three-month period. The bill also requires DOC and sheriffs to establish and maintain a notification system that allows up to three individuals designated by an inmate of a state correctional institution or county jail to elect to be automatically notified via email, text message, or other electronic message within 24 hours of that inmate being placed under any type of individual or group restriction that affects availability for visiting periods or other communication. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill requires the Department of Corrections (DOC) to create two new systems for transparency in state correctional institutions and county jails. First, DOC must establish a notification system allowing inmates to designate up to three individuals who will receive an automated email, text, or electronic message within 24 hours if the inmate is placed under any restriction affecting visitation or communication. Similarly, county sheriffs must create an identical notification system for county jail inmates. Second, DOC must develop an interactive online reporting system updated at least every 48 hours that provides details about each correctional facility, including: whether any movement restrictions are in place (with reasons and duration), the number of inmates in solitary confinement (with reasons), and the total number of inmates. Sheriffs must submit this information weekly to DOC. Until the online system is fully operational (no later than six months after the bill's passage), DOC must submit twice-weekly reports to legislative committees about current restrictions and quarterly reports about solitary confinement. The bill also includes fiscal provisions allocating $780,000 in fiscal year 2025-26 and $275,000 in fiscal year 2026-27 to establish and operate these systems, as well as funding for two limited-term employee positions to help implement the new requirements.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (21)

Last Action

Fiscal estimate received (on 02/16/2026)
(1 Companion Bills)

bill text

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...