Assembly Bill 19 aims to enhance protections and penalties for crimes against adults at risk in Wisconsin. The bill reclassifies acts of sexual misconduct against adults at risk from a second-degree to a first-degree sexual assault, increasing the penalty from a Class C felony to a Class B felony, regardless of the perpetrator's knowledge of the victim's status. Additionally, the bill extends the existing legal framework for freezing assets of defendants charged with financial exploitation crimes against elder persons to include adults at risk. It also aligns penalties for physical abuse of adults at risk with those currently in place for elder persons, allowing for increased prison terms based on the victim's status.

Furthermore, the bill facilitates the process for adults at risk to obtain restraining orders by permitting them to participate in court hearings via telephone or audiovisual means. It introduces new definitions and legal language to ensure clarity regarding the status of adults at risk, while also amending existing statutes to reflect these changes. The bill's provisions aim to provide stronger legal recourse and protections for vulnerable populations, ensuring that crimes against them are met with appropriate legal consequences.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 343.12(7)(c)9j, 343.12, 813.12(5b), 813.12, 813.123(6g), 813.123, 813.125(5b), 813.125, 911.01(4)(c), 911.01, 939.623(title), 939.623, 939.623(2)(intro.), 939.623(3), 940.198(title), 940.198, 940.198(1)(b), 940.198(2)(a), 940.198(2)(b)