Bill
Bill > SB849
summary
Introduced
01/15/2026
01/15/2026
In Committee
01/15/2026
01/15/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under current law, a victim of human trafficking or child trafficking who incurs an injury or death as a result of the trafficking may bring a civil cause of action against the person who committed the violation. The victim must commence the civil action within three years of the injury. Under current law, a person who is injured by an act that would constitute a violation of criminal laws relating to sexual assault of a child or incest with a child may bring a cause of action against the person who caused the injury regardless of whether that person was prosecuted or convicted for the criminal violation. The victim must commence the civil action before he or she reaches the age of 35. This bill specifies that a victim of child trafficking may bring a civil action regardless of whether anyone was prosecuted or convicted for the child trafficking violation, and specifies that the victim may commence the civil action any time before he or she reaches the age of 35. LRB-5885/1 MJW:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 849
AI Summary
This bill modifies existing laws to provide victims of child trafficking with more time to file civil lawsuits and clarifies that a conviction is not required for such a lawsuit. Specifically, it creates a new statute that allows a victim of child trafficking to bring a civil action for damages at any time before they turn 35 years old, extending the previous deadline. It also amends the law concerning trafficking of a child to explicitly state that a civil action can be brought regardless of whether anyone was prosecuted or convicted for the trafficking violation, aligning it with provisions for other sexual assault and incest crimes against children. The bill also renumbers and amends statutes related to human trafficking and trafficking of a child to consolidate them under a single section, allowing victims to sue those who committed the violation and potentially recover actual damages, punitive damages up to three times the actual damages, and attorney fees.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (16)
Jodi Habush Sinykin (D)*,
Van Wanggaard (R)*,
Elijah Behnke (R),
Barbara Dittrich (R),
Rick Gundrum (R),
Rob Kreibich (R),
Dave Murphy (R),
Jeff Mursau (R),
Jerry O'Connor (R),
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D),
William Penterman (R),
Jim Piwowarczyk (R),
Christine Sinicki (D),
David Steffen (R),
Shelia Stubbs (D),
Randy Udell (D),
Last Action
Representative Sheehan added as a cosponsor (on 02/20/2026)
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/sb849 |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB849.pdf |
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