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Bill > AB728

WI AB728

WI AB728
Access to prisons and jails for oversight purposes. (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 legislator who is a member of a standing committee of the legislature with jurisdiction over matters related to the Department of Corrections must be provided immediate access, upon request, to a tour of any state correctional institution that includes the residential areas, prison cells, meal areas, and discussions with inmates. The bill also provides that any employee of a political subdivision who, in the course of his or her employment, is responsible for the oversight of a county jail must be provided immediate access, upon request, to a tour of any county jail under his or her oversight or any county jail that has at least one person in custody who is a permanent resident of the geographic region that the employee’s position oversees that includes the residential areas, prison cells, meal areas, and discussions with inmates. For purposes of the bill, “immediate access” means access with less than 24 hours’ notice. Access may be denied only if it is between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. or if the requester has already had 12 access requests fulfilled in that calendar year. A person who is denied immediate access between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. must be provided access between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., and a person who is denied immediate access because he or she has already had 12 requests fulfilled in that calendar year must be provided access within 72 hours. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill creates new provisions for legislators and certain local government employees to have immediate access to state correctional institutions and county jails for oversight purposes. Specifically, legislators who serve on standing committees related to corrections will be allowed to request tours of state prisons with less than 24 hours' notice, including the ability to visit residential areas, prison cells, meal areas, and speak directly with inmates. Similarly, local government employees responsible for jail oversight can request tours of county jails, particularly those housing inmates from their geographic region. Access can only be denied during nighttime hours (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.) or if the requester has already completed 12 access tours in the same calendar year. When access is denied, alternative arrangements must be made: nighttime requests can be rescheduled during daytime hours, and requests denied due to reaching the 12-tour limit must be accommodated within 72 hours. The bill defines "immediate access" as access with less than 24 hours' notice and clarifies that "political subdivision" includes counties, cities, villages, and towns, aiming to enhance transparency and oversight of correctional facilities.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (14)

Last Action

Fiscal estimate received (on 01/13/2026)
(1 Companion Bills)

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