Executive Summary
- Gov. Evers signed 34 bills into law, focusing on public safety and administrative regulations.
- New legislation establishes mandatory minimum sentences and increases penalties for human trafficking.
- The "Move Over" law now requires drivers to slow down or change lanes for disabled vehicles with hazard lights.
- Impersonating police or emergency personnel has been reclassified as a Class I felony.
- Schools are now mandated to notify parents of alleged sexual offenses involving students.
MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed a comprehensive package of 34 bills into law on Tuesday, enacting stricter penalties for human trafficking, expanding safety requirements for motorists, and implementing new protocols for school notifications regarding student safety.
Among the most significant criminal justice reforms is Assembly Bill 265, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 56, which increases the penalties associated with human trafficking and trafficking of a child. The legislation establishes mandatory minimum sentences for these offenses and extends the statute of limitations for prosecution. "Crimes of this nature—most especially when it comes to our kids—should be punishable by the full extent of the law," Gov. Evers said in a statement regarding the bill. He emphasized that the measure is designed to protect vulnerable youth and ensure accountability for predators.
The governor also signed Assembly Bill 136, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 55, which elevates the crime of impersonating a peace officer, firefighter, or emergency medical responder from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class I felony. This change reflects a legislative intent to deter individuals from undermining public trust in safety personnel.
Roadway safety regulations were significantly broadened under Assembly Bill 409, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 54. The new law expands the state’s "Move Over" requirements. Motorists are now legally obligated to slow down or change lanes not only for emergency vehicles but also for any disabled vehicle displaying hazard lights, emergency flares, or where a person is visibly attending to the vehicle within 12 feet of the roadway.
In the education sector, Assembly Bill 74, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 57, mandates that public, private, and charter schools notify a pupil’s parent or guardian if the student is an alleged victim of sexual offenses at school. "This bill will strengthen transparency by making sure parents and family members are notified if any misconduct at school affects their kids’ safety," Evers noted.
Additional measures include Senate Bill 38, which exempts Gold Star family members from fees for specialty license plates, and Senate Bill 422, designating an overpass in Marquette County as the "Greg Quinn and Larry Millard Memorial Bridge." The governor also authorized a $42 million investment for Domtar Paper Company to modernize a dam in Rothschild and ratified the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact to facilitate cross-state medical practice.
Legislative Impact
The enactment of these statutes marks a pivotal shift in Wisconsin’s penal and regulatory framework. By instituting mandatory minimums for trafficking, the state is removing judicial discretion in sentencing for specific predatory crimes, aligning state law with a more rigid prosecutorial strategy. Simultaneously, the expansion of the "Move Over" law to cover civilian vehicles addresses a critical gap in traffic safety, acknowledging that secondary collisions involving stranded motorists are a growing public safety hazard. These changes collectively signal a legislative priority on closing enforcement loopholes and enhancing protective measures for both the motoring public and vulnerable minors.
