Joel Kitchens, Wisconsin State Representative for 1st District | Official Website
Joel Kitchens, Wisconsin State Representative for 1st District | Official Website
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "prosecuting or adjudicating delinquent a person under the age of 18 for committing an act of prostitution".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill amends existing statutes to prevent individuals under the age of 18 from being prosecuted or adjudicated delinquent for engaging in acts of prostitution, which previously could lead to charges as a Class A misdemeanor. Additionally, the bill removes the court's ability to enter a consent decree or a deferred prosecution agreement under the Juvenile Justice Code or adult criminal statutes for minors involved in prostitution, irrespective of the court's assessment of whether these measures serve the best interests of the individual and society. This legislative change aims to redefine legal procedures concerning youths engaged in acts historically classified as prostitution, shifting away from criminalization. The bill takes effect with violations committed on or after its enactment date.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Jesse L. James (Republican-23rd District), Representative Clinton M. Anderson (Democrat-45th District), Representative Deb Andraca (Democrat-23rd District), Representative Mike Bare (Democrat-80th District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin (Democrat-8th District), and Senator Dianne H. Hesselbein (Democrat-27th District), along 37 other co-sponsors.
Joel Kitchens has authored or co-authored another 12 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Kitches graduated from Ohio State University in 1979 with a BS.
Kitchens, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2015 to represent the state's 1st Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Garey Bies.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| AB79 | 02/28/2025 | Prosecuting or adjudicating delinquent a person under the age of 18 for committing an act of prostitution |
| AB43 | 02/17/2025 | Permitting pharmacists to prescribe certain contraceptives, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| AB2 | 02/03/2025 | Requiring school boards to adopt policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time |
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