Wisconsin 2025 Regular Session Status: Introduced 4 R cosponsors

AB 849 — Relating to: defining “direct result” for purposes of the affirmative defense for victims of human trafficking.

Last action — Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

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  1. 1
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Assembly
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been introduced in the Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee referral and hearing.

Prognosis

Not enough signal yet

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

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Not enough signal yet to read this bill's trajectory — we surface a likelihood only once there's real movement (stage, sponsorship, committee, or votes) to point to.

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Summary

An Act to amend 939.46 (1m) of the statutes;

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

1 change Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill clarifies the conditions under which a victim of human trafficking may assert an affirmative defense for offenses committed as a direct result of the trafficking violation.

  • Wis. Stat. § 939.46(1m)

    A victim of a violation of s. 940.302 (2) or 948.051 has an affirmative defense for any offense committed as a direct result of the violation of s. 940.302 (2) or 948.051 without regard to whether anyone was prosecuted or convicted for the violation of s. 940.302 (2) or 948.051. → A victim of a violation of s. 940.302 (2) or 948.051 has an affirmative defense for any offense committed as a direct result of the violation of s. 940.302 (2) or 948.051 without regard to whether anyone was prosecuted or convicted for the violation of s. 940.302 (2) or 948.051. Under this subsection, an offense is committed as a direct result of a violation of s. 940.302 (2) or 948.051 if there is a logical, causal connection between the offense and the violation such that the offense is not the result, in significant part, of other events, circumstances, or considerations apart from the violation; the offense occurs in immediate proximity to the violation; and the offense is necessary to escape from or prevent the violation.

    This change defines specific criteria for how offenses must relate to the trafficking violations in order for the affirmative defense to apply.

Action History

  1. Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

  2. Public hearing held

  3. Read first time and referred to Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety

  4. Introduced by Representatives Tusler, Behnke, Dittrich and Kreibich; cosponsored by Senator Wimberger

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 4 co-sponsors · 127 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (4)

Not signed on (127)

127 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

public-safety civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 849 do?
An Act to amend 939.46 (1m) of the statutes;
Who sponsors AB 849?
AB 849 is sponsored by Wimberger, Tusler, Ron (Republican), Behnke, Elijah (Republican), Dittrich, Barbara (Republican), and Kreibich, Rob (Republican).
What is the current status of AB 849?
This bill has been introduced in the Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track AB 849?
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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

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