Domestic violence bills passed in Assembly

Trio of bills would strengthen domestic violence laws

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Assembly has passed a trio of bills that would strengthen the state’s domestic violence laws.

The proposals are all sponsored by Republican Rep. Andre Jacque, of De Pere, and come in the wake of a mass shooting by the estranged husband of a woman killed at a Brookfield spa last year. One would require officers to file reports with their district attorney’s office explaining their actions whenever they don’t make an arrest in response to a domestic violence call.

Another proposal would give judges more power to keep domestic violence suspects in check by expanding what qualifies as domestic abuse and strengthening temporary restraining orders. A third measure would expand the scope of evidence that can be used in prosecutions.

All measures passed Thursday on bipartisan votes.