Scott Allen, Wisconsin State Representative for 82nd District | Facebook
Scott Allen, Wisconsin State Representative for 82nd District | Facebook
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "increased penalties for crimes against adults at risk; restraining orders for adults at risk; freezing assets of a defendant charged with financial exploitation of an adult at risk; sexual assault of an adult at risk; and providing a penalty".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill revises existing legal statutes to address crimes against adults at risk, specifically increasing penalties and expanding protective measures. It reclassifies certain sexual misconduct against an adult at risk from a Class C to a Class B felony and equates the penalties for physical abuse of adults at risk with those for physical abuse of elder persons. Additionally, the bill allows courts to freeze or seize assets of defendants charged with financial exploitation of adults at risk, a procedure akin to current rules for elder victims. The maximum term of imprisonment for crimes against adults at risk can be increased depending on the severity of the crime. Further, adults at risk can now appear by telephone or audiovisual means during restraining order hearings. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage and applies regardless of whether the perpetrator was aware of the victim's at-risk status.
The bill was co-authored by Senator André Jacque (Republican-1st District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), Representative Bob G. Donovan (Republican-61st District), Representative Rick Gundrum (Republican-58th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Tim Carpenter (Democrat-3rd District), along three other co-sponsors.
Scott Allen has co-authored another four bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Allen graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1989 with a BA.
Allen, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state's 82nd Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Chuck Wichgers.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| AB19 | 02/06/2025 | Increased penalties for crimes against adults at risk; restraining orders for adults at risk; freezing assets of a defendant charged with financial exploitation of an adult at risk; sexual assault of an adult at risk; and providing a penalty |
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