WisconsinProposal would bar name changes after violent felony convictions
The proposal would bar people convicted of violent felonies from changing their names and make violations a Class H felony.
What it does
A person convicted of a violent felony could not change their name. Violating the ban would be a Class H felony, though a person could not be convicted under both this ban and the cited law for the same incident.
Argument forThe ban could make it harder for someone convicted of a violent felony to use a new name to hide their identity.
Argument againstPeople convicted of violent felonies could lose the option to change their names, even when they have a personal reason to do so.
More detail
The proposal would bar a person convicted of a violent felony from changing their name. The ban covers anyone convicted of a violent crime that is a felony. A person who violates the ban would be guilty of a Class H felony. A person could not be convicted under both this ban and the cited law for acts arising from the same incident.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 13Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82Latest
- May 12Placed on calendar 5-12-2026 pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (2)(a)
- Mar 20Report vetoed by the Governor Tony Evers on 3-20-2026Major
- Mar 18Presented to the Governor on 3-18-2026To Governor
- Jan 15Report correctly enrolledMinor
- Jan 14Received from Assembly concurred inMinor
- Jan 13Ordered immediately messaged
- Vote recorded CONCURRENCE. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 13Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 54, Noes 45Passed House
- Jan 13Rules suspended
- Jan 13Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Jan 13Read a second timeMinor
- Jan 13Rules suspended to withdraw from calendar and take upMajor
- Jan 8Placed on calendar 1-13-2026 by Committee on Rules
- 2025
- May 27Read first time and referred to committee on RulesMinor
- May 20Representative O'Connor added as a cosponsor
- May 15Received from SenateMinor
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Upper
- May 15Ordered immediately messaged
- May 15Read a third time and passed, Ayes 18, Noes 15Passed Senate
- May 15Rules suspended to give bill its third reading
- May 15Ordered to a third readingMinor
- May 15Senate Amendment 1 adoptedMajor
- May 15Read a second timeMinor
- May 13Placed on calendar 5-15-2025 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- May 8Available for scheduling
- Vote recorded Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 5, Noes 3. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 7, Noes 1. Result: pass.Upper
- May 8Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 5, Noes 3Minor
- May 8Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 7, Noes 1Major
- May 8Executive action taken
- May 2Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senator WanggaardMinor
- Apr 30Public hearing held
- Mar 21Read first time and referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public SafetyMinor
- Mar 21Introduced by Senators Wanggaard, Jacque, Feyen and Nass; cosponsored by Representatives Goeben, B. Jacobson, Penterman, Kreibich, Dittrich, Allen, Knodl, Wichgers, Murphy, Brill, Mursau and BehnkeIntroduced
Criminal Justice