WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 1018

Relating to: penalty for the terrorist crimes against the occupants of a church and providing a penalty.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Julian Bradley and 1 co-sponsor

Wisconsin bill creating enhanced terrorism-related criminal penalties for attacks targeting church occupants and congregations.

Read first time and referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1018

Legislative bill overview

SB 1018 creates enhanced criminal penalties specifically for terrorist crimes committed against occupants of churches in Wisconsin. The bill appears to establish a distinct offense category that treats attacks on church congregations as terrorism-related crimes warranting elevated punishments compared to standard violent crime statutes.

Why is this important

Church safety has become a recurring policy concern following multiple high-profile attacks on religious institutions. This bill represents lawmakers' attempt to provide legal tools and deterrents for protecting houses of worship and their congregants, while also potentially signaling legislative priority on religious institution security.

Potential points of contention

  • Religious favoritism questions: Creating terrorism penalties specifically for churches while other congregations (mosques, synagogues, temples, etc.) or non-religious assembly spaces may receive different treatment raises equal protection concerns
  • Definition ambiguity: The bill's specific definition of "terrorist crimes against church occupants" is unclear from the summary—determining what qualifies as terrorism versus standard violent felonies will be legally critical
  • Proportionality debate: Whether enhanced penalties are justified for church-specific attacks versus attacks on other vulnerable gatherings (schools, hospitals, public events) may generate legislative disagreement

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

Sign in to ask a question.