Bill Defining Grooming and Establishing Penalties Ready for the Governor's Signature

Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 -- 9:01 AM

(Wisconsin Radio Network) A bill defining grooming and establishing criminal penalties in state statute is ready for the governor’s signature.

According to the Wisconsin Radio Network, his office confirms Governor Tony Evers will sign the measure which passed both chambers of the Wisconsin Legislature with bipartisan support. Thorp Republican Jesse James is the bill’s Senate author.

He said it’s become abundantly clear that Wisconsin needs criminal definition of grooming by making it the felony it should be. Law enforcement and district attorneys will now be able to fully prosecute these types of cases.

The bill codifies in state law a distinct crime for grooming a child and provides a range of felony charges for prosecutors. Persons convicted of grooming would face mandatory registration as a sex offender.

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