For Immediate Release:                                         

April 11, 2015 

Governor signs Senator Taylor’s Victim Notification of Revocation bill into law

MADISON – Today, Governor Scott Walker signed Assembly Bill 652 into law. The new law will require the Department of Corrections to notify victims of a crime if their violator’s probation or parole is revoked. Current law allows crime victims to be notified when their offender is released on probation or parole, but does not permit them the peace of mind to know if the offender is sent back to prison. Senator Taylor authored the bill with Representative Ed Brooks (R-Reedsburg). Following the bill signing, Senator Taylor (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement:

“Far too many victims experience emotional trauma when their victimizer is released from prison. I’m glad the law will now give victims the peace of mind of knowing if their victimizer is sent back to prison. Despite the partisan gridlock in Madison, this shows the political parties can find common ground on issues that will impact the everyday lives of our constituents.  

“In 2012, there were 15,969 violent crimes reported in Wisconsin, including murder, rape, aggravated assault and robbery. There were another 139,102 property crimes reported in 2012 in Wisconsin, including theft, burglary and arson. It’s hard to imagine the emotional trauma suffered by victims until you become one.”