Overview
- Signed on Dec. 8 as 2025 Wisconsin Act 48, the law takes effect immediately but cannot be applied to cases already in court, prosecutors said.
- It establishes a stand‑alone sexual extortion offense and makes coercing a minor to send sexual images a felony.
- Penalties increase when the victim is under 18 and the offender is more than four years older or when extortion attempts succeed, and homicide charges are possible if sextortion contributes to a suicide.
- The measure expands Wisconsin’s crime victim compensation program to cover suicide and attempted suicide linked to these crimes.
- Officials cite rising reports, including 237 sextortion cybertips to the state ICAC Task Force in 2024, and urge reporting to CyberTipline and use of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, as investigations often cross state and national lines.