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WI AB583
Bill
Status
10/24/2025
Primary Sponsor
Jessie Rodriguez
Click for details
AI Summary
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Increases compensation for wrongfully imprisoned persons from $5,000/year (max $25,000) to $50,000/year (adjusted for inflation) with a maximum total award of $1,000,000, plus reimbursement for attorney fees, court costs, and fees/surcharges paid during imprisonment
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Transfers petition review from Claims Board to Division of Hearings and Appeals, with 5-day referral deadlines and hearings within 60 days; State Public Defender must represent indigent petitioners
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Provides wrongfully imprisoned persons access to state employee health insurance plans for up to 5 years, with petitioners paying the employee share of premiums and the state covering the remainder
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Creates immediate post-release assistance for persons released based on innocence claims, including Department of Corrections transition plans, temporary financial assistance up to 133% of federal poverty level for 14 months, and record sealing
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Allows family members (spouse, children, parents, siblings) to petition for compensation on behalf of deceased wrongfully imprisoned persons within one year of death, with awards equitably allocated among eligible family members
Legislative Description
Resolution of claims against the state for wrongful imprisonment of innocent persons, exempting from taxation certain amounts an individual receives from the claims board or legislature, health benefits and other assistance for wrongfully imprisoned persons, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Last Action
Representative Snodgrass added as a coauthor
2/5/2026