SB235: Bill Text

LRB-1224/1

MLJ:amn

2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE

2019 Senate BILL 235

May 23, 2019 - Introduced by Senators Jacque, Carpenter, Larson, Risser and Wanggaard, cosponsored by Representatives Tusler, Stuck, Anderson, Crowley, Kulp, B. Meyers, Mursau, Ohnstad, Ramthun, Sargent, Sinicki, Subeck, C. Taylor, Thiesfeldt and Vruwink. Referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.

SB235,1,2 An Act to amend 940.32 (1) (a) 6. and 940.32 (1) (a) 7. of the statutes; relating to: stalking.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, stalking means a course of conduct that includes maintaining visual or physical proximity to the victim, approaching or confronting the victim, appearing at the victim's workplace, home, or other property, contacting the victim's employer, coworkers, neighbors, family, or friends, attempting to contact the victim via telephone, and sending various items or materials to the victim. This bill amends the definition of stalking to explicitly include attempts to contact the victim via text messaging and other electronic means of communication, including sending and posting online content.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB235,1 Section 1. 940.32 (1) (a) 6. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB235,2,2 940.32 (1) (a) 6. Contacting the victim by telephone , text message, electronic message, electronic mail, or other means of electronic communication or causing the victim's telephone or electronic device or any other person's telephone or electronic device to ring or generate notifications repeatedly or continuously, regardless of whether a conversation ensues.

SB235,2 Section 2 . 940.32 (1) (a) 7. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB235,2,6 940.32 (1) (a) 7. Sending to the victim any physical or electronic material or contacting the victim by any means to the victim or, for, including any message, comment, or other content posted on any Internet site or web application.

SB235,2,11 7m. For the purpose of obtaining information about, disseminating information about, or communicating with the victim, to sending any physical or electronic material to or contacting by any means, including any message, comment, or other content posted on any Internet site or web application, a member of the victim's family or household or an employer, coworker, or friend of the victim.

SB235,2,12 (End)