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Bill > SB736
WI SB736
WI SB736An exemption from private detective and private security license and permit requirements.
summary
Introduced
12/12/2025
12/12/2025
In Committee
02/12/2026
02/12/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Current law generally prohibits a person or other entity from acting as a private detective, investigator, special investigator, or private security person, acting as a supplier of private security personnel, or performing any other type of service or investigation as a private detective or private security person without a license granted by the Department of Safety and Professional Services. However, an employee of an agency that supplies uniformed private security personnel to patrol exclusively on certain specified premises is not required to hold such a license if the employing agency is so licensed and the employee obtains a private security permit granted by DSPS. This bill exempts from these licensure and permit requirements a person serving as a volunteer for a church safety or security team while the person is acting within the scope of his or her duties as a volunteer and is on the premises of the church. However, the exemption extends only to the premises of a church’s place of worship and does not extend to the premises of a school or other entity or organization operated by or under the control of the church.
AI Summary
This bill creates a specific exemption from private detective and private security licensing requirements for volunteers serving on church safety or security teams. The bill defines a "church" as a religious organization with a distinct legal existence, a congregation, and regular religious services. The exemption applies only when a volunteer is acting within the scope of their duties and is physically present on the church's place of worship premises. Importantly, the exemption does not extend to other church-related premises such as schools or affiliated organizations. Currently, Wisconsin law requires individuals performing private security or investigative work to obtain a license from the Department of Safety and Professional Services, but this bill carves out a narrow exception for church safety team volunteers. The legislation aims to reduce administrative burdens for religious organizations by allowing them to use unpaid volunteers for security purposes without requiring them to obtain professional licensing.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (9)
André Jacque (R)*,
Devin LeMahieu (R)*,
Cory Tomczyk (R)*,
Elijah Behnke (R),
Lindee Brill (R),
Russell Goodwin (D),
Dan Knodl (R),
Dave Murphy (R),
Jerry O'Connor (R),
Last Action
Available for scheduling (on 02/12/2026)
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/sen/bill/sb736 |
| SB736 ROCP for Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs On 2/12/2026 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/senate/licensing_regulatory_reform_state_and_federal_affairs/1972987.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB736.pdf |
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