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Bill

SB 953

Relating to: Internet crimes against children administrative subpoenas for the crime of sexual extortion when the crime victim is a child. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by André Jacque and 4 co-sponsors

Wisconsin bill expands police authority to issue administrative subpoenas in child sexual extortion investigations, bypassing traditional warrant requirements for faster digital evidence collection.

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
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Bill Summary · SB 953

Legislative bill overview

SB 953 expands law enforcement's authority to issue administrative subpoenas in investigations of sexual extortion crimes targeting children. The bill streamlines the process for obtaining digital evidence and communications records from internet service providers and tech platforms without requiring a traditional court-issued warrant in these specific cases.

Why is this important

Sexual extortion—where perpetrators coerce minors into producing sexual content or paying money through threats—is a growing crime facilitated by digital platforms. Faster evidence collection through administrative subpoenas could help law enforcement identify and prosecute offenders more quickly and protect additional potential victims. However, the approach involves trade-offs between investigative efficiency and traditional privacy protections.

Potential points of contention

  • Fourth Amendment concerns: Administrative subpoenas bypass judicial oversight requirements of warrant procedures, raising questions about whether this adequately protects against overreach or innocent parties' privacy rights
  • Scope creep: Establishing expedited processes for one crime category could create pressure to expand similar authorities to other offenses, gradually eroding warrant requirements across investigations
  • Platform compliance burden: Internet companies may face increased demands for rapid data production without time for legal review, potentially affecting their ability to protect user privacy or verify legitimate requests

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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