Wisconsin Senate Bill 671 Creates New Criminal Offense for Child Grooming

Original title: An Act to amend 48.345 (3) (a) 2., 48.345 (3) (b) 2., 48.685 (1) (c) 2., 48.685 (4m) (b) 2., 48.685 (4m) (b) 2m., 50.065 (1) (e) 2., 51.20 (13) (ct) 2m., 103.34 (1) (b) 2., 111.335 (1m) (b) 1., 111.335 (1m) (d) 1., 165.84 (7) (ab) 1., 165.93 (1) (b), 301.046 (4) (b) (intro.), 301.048 (2) (bm) 1. a., 301.048 (4m) (b) (intro.), 301.45 (1d) (b), 302.05 (3) (a) 1., 302.105 (2) (intro.), 302.11 (1g) (a) 2., 302.116 (1) (a), 303.068 (4m) (b) (intro.), 304.06 (1) (d) 1., 304.06 (1) (em), 304.06 (2m) (a), 304.063 (2) (intro.), 343.06 (1) (i), 343.30 (2d), 440.312 (2), 440.982 (2), 767.461 (4), 901.08 (1) (b), 938.34 (3) (a) 2., 938.34 (3) (b) 2., 938.34 (15m) (bm), 939.615 (1) (b) 1., 939.62 (2m) (a) 1m. a., 939.62 (2m) (a) 2m. b., 939.632 (1) (e) 1., 939.74 (2) (c), 941.29 (1g) (a), 941.291 (1) (b), 948.13 (1) (a), 948.21 (1) (a), 949.03 (2), 968.28, 969.001 (3) (a), 969.08 (10) (b), 971.17 (1m) (b) 2m., 972.11 (2) (b) (intro.), 973.01 (3g), 973.0135 (1) (b) 2., 973.048 (2m), 973.176 (3), 973.20 (4m) and 980.01 (6) (a); to create 343.12 (7) (c) 18m., 786.36 (1m) (c) 16m. and 948.072 of the statutes; Relating to: creating a crime of grooming a child for sexual activity and providing a penalty.

Last action · March 23, 2026: Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1Sponsors: Jesse James and 34 others

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What This Bill Proposed

Wisconsin Senate Bill 671 establishes a new specific criminal offense for a child for sexual activity and amends numerous related state statutes to integrate the new crime. The measure applies to individuals engaging in grooming behaviors with minors.

Why it matters

Establishes a distinct felony-level criminal charge and associated penalties for child activities that previously required prosecution under broader or collateral statutes, altering legal liabilities and sentencing guidelines.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Minors

Minors receive expanded legal protections through the creation of a specific criminal prohibition against child grooming.

Directly affected

State prosecutors and law enforcement

Law enforcement and prosecutors gain a specific statutory charge to address preliminary grooming behaviors prior to direct sexual offenses.

Key Facts

Creates a new crime of grooming a child for sexual activity under Section 948.072 of the statutes.
Amends numerous sections of the Wisconsin statutes including chapters 48, 50, 51, 103, 111, 165, 301, 302, 303, 304, 343, 440, 767, 901, 938, 939, 941, 948, 949, 968, 969, 971, 972, 973, and 980.
Updates cross-references in employment discrimination, occupational licensing, background checks, and correctional supervision laws to account for the new grooming offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Senate Bill 671 do?

It creates a new specific crime for a child for sexual activity and updates numerous related statutes across Wisconsin law.

Which statutes are affected by this bill?

The bill amends provisions in chapters 48, 50, 51, 103, 111, 165, 301, 302, 303, 304, 343, 440, 767, 901, 938, 939, 941, 948, 949, 968, 969, 971, 972, 973, and 980 of the Wisconsin statutes.

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Failed in the Senate.

Procedural history

10 actions

Mar 23, 2026Senate
Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
Feb 3, 2026Senate
Available for scheduling
Feb 3, 2026Senate
Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Education, Ayes 5, Noes 0
Feb 3, 2026Senate
Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Education, Ayes 5, Noes 0
Feb 3, 2026Senate
Executive action taken
Jan 28, 2026Senate
Public hearing held

Show 4 earlier actions

Jan 7, 2026Senate
Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senator James
Dec 3, 2025Senate
Senator Marklein added as a coauthor
Nov 20, 2025SenateIntroduced
Read first time and referred to Committee on Education
Nov 20, 2025SenateIntroduced
Introduced by Senators James, Wanggaard, Hutton, Nass and Quinn; cosponsored by Representatives Nedweski, Brill, Dittrich, Behnke, Callahan, DeSmidt, Donovan, Duchow, Franklin, Green, Gundrum, Gustafson, Hurd, B. Jacobson, Kaufert, Kitchens, Knodl, Kreibich, Maxey, Moses, Murphy, Mursau, Novak, O'Connor, Penterman, Piwowarczyk, Snyder, Steffen, Tusler and Wichgers

Version history

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