Wisconsin to consider "Blue Lives Matter" bill

Madison, Wisc. (WGBA) — A draft bill to make targeting police officers a hate crime in Wisconsin is getting national attention.

The so-called “Blue Lives Matter” bill, which will be introduced in January by Republican State Representative David Steffen, is similar to Louisiana’s bill–the first state to pass such a law.

It would allow prosecutors to seek stronger punishments against those who specifically target police, firefighters, and EMS crew because of their profession. If passed, a violation could result in an additional five years of prison time, and up to $5,000 in added fines.

“I hope that folks will be open-minded about this bill,” Rep. Steffen says, “and fully understand that there is not any effort to downplay, or diminish, anything else that’s going on.”