Senator Petrowski Bill on assault victims’ rights becomes law

Governor Tony Evers signed into law today three bills authored by Senator Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon) that focused on victims’ rights, public safety, and health care. The bills had passed the Senate and the Assembly earlier in the legislative session.

The three Senator Petrowski bills include: Senate Bill 519 - (Now Act 256) This law provides victims of sexual assault the ability to seek out continued protection from contact by the person convicted of the crime against them by allowing for a lifetime restraining order. Previously, restraining orders for adults typically lasted only four years, with some extensions granted in extreme circumstances. This new law, however, will permanently protect survivors of 1st degree, 2nd degree, and 3rd degree sexual assault from their attackers after they have been released from jail.

“This new law will provide peace of mind to a victim of sexual assault by allowing a permanent restraining order to be put into effect against the perpetrator,” said Senator Petrowski. “Just because someone has been released from jail doesn’t give them the right to stalk, harass, or intimidate their victim. This permanent restraining order empowers victims, giving them control of the situation and their lives.”

The bill was also known as “Kayleigh’s Law,” named after Kayleigh Kozak from Arizona, a victim of childhood sexual abuse who has been instrumental in encouraging state legislatures across the country to consider this legislation. Kayleigh had been repeatedly sexually assaulted by her gym teacher and soccer coach and fought to create this new law in her home state following his recent release from jail.

“Meeting Kayleigh and others from Wisconsin who share her story was a very powerful reminder that the victims of sexual assault can, at times, become lifetime victims,” added Senator Petrowski. “That’s just wrong. These victims have already gone through so much -- and creating a permanent separation between them and their attackers is another step in helping them rebuild their lives.”

The bill received tremendous bipartisan support and had passed both houses of the Wisconsin State Legislature unanimously.

Senate Bill 115 (now Act 253) - This bill updates the statutes relating to which entities in Wisconsin are allowed to offer continuing education (CE) courses for chiropractors in the state. Previously, the Chiropractic Society of Wisconsin was prohibited from offering educational courses (even to their own members). Due to outdated statutes, they were forced to bring in out-of-state chiropractic colleges from Georgia, Missouri, and Minnesota just to be compliant with state law.

“These continuing education courses are required by state law for most entities in health care, but for some reason, some in-state chiropractors were being banned from offering courses in their own state,” said Senator Petrowski. “This outdated law sought to fence some chiropractors out of teaching CE courses, regardless of their qualifications. Aside from the increased costs of bringing these out-ofstate colleges into Wisconsin, it made no sense that chiropractors in Wisconsin were being taught by people who don’t even practice in our state.”

Senate Bill 508 (now Act 255) – This bill authorizes the use of green flashing warning lights on county and municipal vehicles. Science and experience have demonstrated that flashing green lights are more visible than red or amber in snowy and other inclement weather conditions. Although the bill was crafted primarily for use on county or municipal snowplows that operate during these conditions, the bill also allows them to be used on other hazardous or slow-moving vehicles, as well, to increase their visibility and to make driving conditions safer during their use.

“This is a common sense bill that will improve the visibility of snow plows and other vehicles during inclement weather,” said Senator Petrowski. “It also lets drivers know the difference between emergency vehicles with the use of this different and unique color.”

Senator Petrowski, who attended the bill signing ceremony in the Governor’s office in the State Capitol, thanked Governor Evers and his legislative colleagues for their support of these measures. To date, Senator Petrowski has had 22 bills signed into law this legislative session.