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WI AB923

Bill

Status

Engrossed

2/19/2026

Primary Sponsor

Brent Jacobson

Click for details

Origin

State Assembly

2025-2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Creates a new civil cause of action allowing victims of sexual extortion (already a crime under s. 942.095) to sue for physical injury, emotional distress, or property loss
  • Permits parents or legal guardians to file suit on behalf of child victims, and estate representatives to file on behalf of deceased victims
  • Allows wrongful death actions against perpetrators when sexual extortion was a substantial causal factor in a victim's suicide, with standard wrongful death damage caps not applying
  • Plaintiffs may use initials or fictitious initials instead of their real names on court documents to protect their identity from public disclosure
  • Prevailing plaintiffs may recover special and general damages, punitive damages, and all reasonable attorney fees and investigation costs, regardless of whether criminal charges were filed or their outcome

Legislative Description

Creating a civil cause of action for sexual extortion.

Last Action

Placed on calendar 3-17-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

3/16/2026

Committee Referrals

Judiciary and Public Safety2/27/2026
Rules2/10/2026
Judiciary1/28/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available