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Bills · 2019-2020 Regular Session

SJR 86

Died at session end Official bill text Atom feed

Relating to: the term persons (first consideration).

Constitutional amendments — First consideration

  1. Introduced, stopped here
  2. Passes Senate, not reached
  3. Passes Assembly, not reached
  4. Adopted, not reached

Unfamiliar terms? Glossary

What this bill does

Plain-language analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau

The Wisconsin Constitution provides that all people are born equally free and

independent and have certain inherent rights, including the rights to life, liberty,

and the pursuit of happiness. This constitutional amendment, proposed to the 2019

legislature on first consideration, eliminates the word “born” leaving the phrase “all

persons are equally free and independent.” The constitutional amendment also

specifies that, as applied to the right to life, the term “persons” applies to every

human being at any stage of development. The constitutional amendment allows the

legislature to define the scope of protections afforded to unborn persons and specifies

that any prohibition of conduct with regard to unborn persons must be prescribed by

the legislature by law.

A constitutional amendment requires adoption by two successive legislatures,

and ratification by the people, before it becomes effective.

Sponsors

Introduced by: Craig (R) , Jacque (R) , Stroebel (R)

19 cosponsors

Ballweg (R) , Brandtjen (R) , Brooks (R) , Gundrum (R) , Horlacher (R) , Hutton (R) , Kulp (R) , Magnafici (R) , Murphy (R) , Quinn (R) , Ramthun (R) , Sanfelippo (R) , Schraa (R) , Skowronski (R) , Sortwell (R) , Thiesfeldt (R) , Tittl (R) , Tusler (R) , Wichgers (R)

Full history

  1. Jan 29, 2020 · Senate

    Introduced by Senators Jacque, Craig and Stroebel; cosponsored by Representatives Sanfelippo, Brandtjen, Ballweg, Gundrum, Horlacher, Hutton, Kulp, Magnafici, Murphy, Quinn, Ramthun, Schraa, Skowronski, Sortwell, Thiesfeldt, Tittl, Tusler, Wichgers and Brooks

  2. Jan 29, 2020 · Senate

    Read first time and referred to Committee on Government Operations, Technology and Consumer Protection

  3. Apr 1, 2020 · Senate

    Failed to adopt pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1