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Bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session

SB 849

Died at session end Official bill text Atom feed

Relating to: the civil causes of action for human trafficking and trafficking a child.

Children Court — Procedure Crime and criminals Crime victim

  1. Introduced, stopped here
  2. Passes Senate, not reached
  3. Passes Assembly, not reached
  4. Governor signs, not reached
  5. Law, not reached

Unfamiliar terms? Glossary

What this bill does

Plain-language analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, a victim of human trafficking or child trafficking who incurs an injury or death as a result of the trafficking may bring a civil cause of action against the person who committed the violation. The victim must commence the civil action within three years of the injury.

Under current law, a person who is injured by an act that would constitute a violation of criminal laws relating to sexual assault of a child or incest with a child may bring a cause of action against the person who caused the injury regardless of whether that person was prosecuted or convicted for the criminal violation. The victim must commence the civil action before he or she reaches the age of 35.

This bill specifies that a victim of child trafficking may bring a civil action regardless of whether anyone was prosecuted or convicted for the child trafficking violation, and specifies that the victim may commence the civil action any time before he or she reaches the age of 35.

Sponsors

Introduced by: Habush Sinykin (D) , Wanggaard (R)

18 cosponsors

Behnke (R) , Dittrich (R) , Gundrum (R) , Keyeski (D) , Knodl (R) , Kreibich (R) , Murphy (R) , Mursau (R) , O'Connor (R) , Ortiz-Velez (D) , Penterman (R) , Piwowarczyk (R) , Sheehan (D) , Sinicki (D) , Steffen (R) , Stubbs (D) , Subeck (D) , Udell (D)

Registered lobbying interests · 3

Organizations that registered lobbying activity on this bill with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission. Registration means interest, not a position for or against. Official record

Full history

  1. Jan 15, 2026 · Senate

    Introduced by Senators Wanggaard and Habush Sinykin; cosponsored by Representatives Mursau, Steffen, Stubbs, Behnke, Dittrich, Gundrum, Kreibich, Murphy, O'Connor, Ortiz-Velez, Penterman, Piwowarczyk, Sinicki and Udell

  2. Jan 15, 2026 · Senate

    Read first time and referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety

  3. Feb 4, 2026 · Senate

    Public hearing held

  4. Feb 4, 2026 · Senate

    Representative Knodl added as a cosponsor

  5. Feb 6, 2026 · Senate

    Senator Keyeski added as a coauthor

  6. Feb 10, 2026 · Senate

    Public hearing held

  7. Feb 20, 2026 · Senate

    Representative Sheehan added as a cosponsor

  8. Mar 19, 2026 · Senate

    Representative Subeck added as a cosponsor

  9. Mar 23, 2026 · Senate

    Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1