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WI SB844
WI SB844Forensic 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
01/15/2026
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, 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 LRB-5807/1 CMH:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 844 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 forensic examinations for which healthcare providers can be reimbursed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to include those conducted on victims of domestic abuse or strangulation, in addition to sex offenses, and increases the maximum reimbursement amount for these examinations to $3,000. The bill also establishes a grant program administered by the DOJ to fund health care facilities that create new positions or programs to recruit, retain, or train healthcare providers who conduct these specific types of examinations, aiming to increase the availability of such services in every county. Importantly, the bill clarifies that reimbursement for these examinations is not dependent on the victim's cooperation with law enforcement or whether the offense is investigated or prosecuted, aligning with existing provisions for sex offense examinations.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (19)
Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D)*,
Dora Drake (D)*,
LaTonya Johnson (D)*,
Melissa Ratcliff (D)*,
Mark Spreitzer (D)*,
Ryan Clancy (D),
Ben DeSmidt (D),
Russell Goodwin (D),
Alex Joers (D),
Tara Johnson (D),
Darrin Madison (D),
Maureen McCarville (D),
Vincent Miresse (D),
Ann Roe (D),
Joe Sheehan (D),
Christine Sinicki (D),
Angela Stroud (D),
Lisa Subeck (D),
Randy Udell (D),
Last Action
Representative Anderson added as a cosponsor (on 01/26/2026)
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/sb844 |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB844.pdf |
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