Bill > SB838

This bill establishes a grant program, administered by the Department of Justice, to provide funding to nonprofit organizations that offer "support services" to trafficking victims. Support services are broadly defined to include direct advocacy, safety planning, housing, substance use disorder treatment, medical and behavioral health care, job training, and employment assistance. To be eligible for these grants, a nonprofit organization, which is defined as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, must submit an application detailing its coordination with local law enforcement and its spending plan, and crucially, must provide private matching funds equal to at least 50% of the grant amount. The bill appropriates $2,500,000 biennially for this program, with specific grant limits for organizations providing housing services ($125,000 per biennium) versus those offering other support services ($50,000 per biennium), and prioritizes applicants with strong law enforcement ties and the capacity to provide licensed services.

Justice

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb838