BillTrack50 logo
Free Signup Login
Bill

Bill > AB821

WI AB821

WI AB821
Forensic examinations done on a crime victim to gather evidence, modifying administrative rules relating to reimbursement for forensic examinations, and making an appropriation. (FE)

summary

Introduced
01/06/2026
In Committee
01/06/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Under current law, if a health care provider performs an examination on a victim of a sex offense to gather evidence, the Department of Justice must award the provider the costs of the examination. The award does not depend upon whether the victim of the sex offense cooperates with law enforcement or whether the sex offense is investigated or prosecuted. Under this bill, DOJ must also award a health care provider the costs of an examination the provider performs on a victim to gather evidence regarding an offense that involves an allegation of domestic abuse or that involves strangulation. The bill also treats the administrative rules to increase the maximum award for such an examination to $3,000. Under current law, DOJ administers various grant programs, including a program that awards grants to organizations that provide services to victims of sexual assault. This bill requires DOJ to administer a program to award grants to health care facilities that create a new position for a health care provider who conducts, or that create a recruitment, retention, or training program for health care providers who conduct, examinations to gather evidence regarding an offense that involves an allegation of domestic abuse or that involves strangulation. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill expands the types of crime victims whose forensic examinations, conducted by healthcare providers to gather evidence, are eligible for reimbursement from the Department of Justice (DOJ). Previously, only victims of sex offenses were covered, but this bill now includes victims of offenses involving allegations of domestic abuse or strangulation. It also increases the maximum reimbursement amount for these examinations from $1,200 to $3,000 and mandates that this amount be adjusted annually for inflation starting in 2027. Furthermore, the bill establishes a grant program administered by the DOJ to help healthcare facilities create new positions or develop recruitment, retention, or training programs for healthcare providers who conduct these specific types of examinations, aiming to increase the number of such providers in each county. The bill also clarifies definitions related to these examinations and ensures that reimbursement is not denied due to a victim's lack of cooperation with law enforcement or the absence of an investigation or prosecution.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (20)

Last Action

Representative Anderson added as a coauthor (on 01/27/2026)
(1 Companion Bills)

bill text

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...