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Bill > SB742


WI SB742

WI SB742
Inmate access to transparent windows and making an appropriation. (FE)


summary

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

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires the Department of Corrections and county sheriffs to ensure that in every state correctional institution and county jail, in every inmate residential cell that is connected to an exterior wall, a window that is at least 1.5 square feet in size and that provides at least 92 percent visibility to the outdoors be installed by October 1, 2030, provided that the correctional institution or county jail will remain structurally sound with the windows in place. The bill also requires DOC or the county sheriff to provide every inmate with three hours per day of outdoor viewing time through a window that provides 92 percent visibility to the outdoors. This requirement may be met by time spent outdoors, by time spent in the inmate’s cell if the cell has such a window, or, if the inmate’s cell does not have such a window, by moving the inmate to a location within the state correctional institution or county jail that does have a window that provides at least 92 percent visibility to the outdoors. The bill provides to DOC $500,000 in fiscal year 2025-26 and $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2026-27 for the purpose of installing windows in state correctional institutions to meet the requirements of the bill. LRB-5487/1 MJW:cjs&wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 742 For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill requires the Department of Corrections (DOC) and county sheriffs to install transparent windows in inmate residential cells that are connected to exterior walls by October 1, 2030. The windows must be at least 1.5 square feet in size and provide 92 percent visibility to the outdoors, provided that such installation does not compromise the structural integrity of the correctional facility. The bill mandates that each inmate must be allowed three hours of outdoor viewing time per day, which can be satisfied through time spent outdoors, time in a cell with an approved window, or time in another location within the facility with an approved window. Inmates in solitary confinement or during facility lockdowns are exempt from this requirement. To support the window installation, the bill appropriates $500,000 in fiscal year 2025-26 and $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2026-27 to the DOC specifically for installing windows in state correctional institutions. The outdoor viewing requirements will take effect on the first day of the seventh month following the bill's enactment, and the provisions apply to both state correctional institutions and county jails.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (16)

Last Action

Representative Moore Omokunde added as a cosponsor (on 01/21/2026)

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