MADISON. . . Wisconsin’s children and families will enjoy increased safety and protection while Wisconsin’s sexual predators will face tougher laws and more severe penalties now that four significant pieces of legislation have been signed into law, according to the bill’s co-author, Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills).
“I am so very proud to have led the legislature’s efforts over the years to identify, punish and keep track of our violent sex offenders,” said Darling. “There is no doubt that the law changes brought about by the passage of AB784, AB942, SB409 and AB591 will make Wisconsin an undisputed national leader in protecting children from pedophiles.”
Darling is the original author of Wisconsin’s landmark Sexual Predator Registry and Community Notification Laws. For over a decade, she has worked tirelessly to proactively pass legislation to better protect children from dangerous sexual offenders.
“Legislatively, there will always be areas where we can improve current Chapter 980 law so as long as I serve in the Legislature, I will seek out avenues to strengthen the law in ways that maintain its constitutionality,” said Darling. “It’s gratifying to join forces this session with Representatives Suder, Jeskewitz and Kleefisch, the Governor and local enforcement officials to push these important initiatives through.”
- AB 784 creates a mandatory term of confinement and a maximum term of imprisonment for certain child sex offenses. “Jessica’s Law”
- AB 591 enforces GPS tracking for certain sex offenders who are out on probation, extended supervision, parole, supervised release, or conditional release.
- SB 409 changes the statutory definition of sexual contact.
- AB 949 creates tougher laws against child pornography, sexual exploitation of a child, the use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.
Darling notes that even before AB784, AB942, SB409 and AB591, were signed into law, Wisconsin had taken several steps forward in recent years. For example, in 2004 Darling authored a new law requiring convicted sexual predators to accept medical treatment and meet a tougher standard of rehabilitation as a condition of their release.
