LRB-5636/1
CMH:skw
2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE
January 13, 2022 - Introduced by Senators Feyen,
Jacque, Marklein, Nass,
Stroebel and Cowles, cosponsored by Representatives Snyder,
Callahan,
Behnke, Born, Dittrich, Gundrum, James, Kuglitsch, Murphy and
Penterman. Referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.
SB845,1,2
1An Act to create 301.283 and 941.26 (4) (c) 4. of the statutes;
relating to: use
2of pepper spray by an employee of the Department of Corrections.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, a person who intentionally uses a device or container
containing oleoresin of capsicum or CS gel (commonly known as pepper spray) to
cause bodily harm or discomfort to another person is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
Current law provides exceptions to the crime such as a person acting in self-defense
or defense of another, a law enforcement officer acting in an official capacity, or armed
forces or national guard personnel acting in the line of duty. This bill adds an
exception for employees of the Department of Corrections who are acting in an
official capacity. The bill also prohibits DOC from prohibiting employees from
carrying or using such devices or containers while acting in an official capacity.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB845,1
3Section
1. 301.283 of the statutes is created to read:
SB845,2,2
4301.283 Restricting prohibitions on pepper spray usage by employees. 5The department may not prohibit an employee, while acting in an official capacity,
6from carrying any device or container that contains a combination of oleoresin of
1capsicum or CS gel, as defined in s. 941.26 (1c) (a), and inert ingredients or from using
2the device or container.
SB845,2
3Section
2. 941.26 (4) (c) 4. of the statutes is created to read:
SB845,2,54
941.26
(4) (c) 4. An employee of the department of corrections acting in an
5official capacity.
