Timothy W. Carpenter, Wisconsin State Senator for 3rd District | Official website
Timothy W. Carpenter, Wisconsin State Senator for 3rd District | Official website
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "eliminating criminal defenses of adequate provocation, self-defense, or not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect if the claim is based on the victim’s gender identity or sexual orientation".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill eliminates certain criminal defenses related to gender identity and sexual orientation. Specifically, it disallows defendants from using adequate provocation or self-defense as a legal justification in cases where the crime was motivated by the victim's gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. This includes instances where the victim made a nonviolent romantic or sexual advance toward the defendant or was in a romantic or sexual relationship with the defendant. Additionally, the bill amends the definition of mental disease or defect in criminal cases, stating that it cannot include conditions resulting from the victim's gender identity or sexual orientation disclosure. These changes aim to remove the acceptance of biases against LGBTQ+ identities as valid defense strategies in legal proceedings. The bill applies to offenses committed on or after its effective date.
The bill was co-authored by Rep. Greta Neubauer (Democrat-66th District), Sen. Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), Sen. Dora E. Drake (Democrat-4th District), Sen. Jodi Habush Sinykin (Democrat-8th District), and Sen. Dianne H. Hesselbein (Democrat-27th District). It was co-sponsored by Rep. Clinton M. Anderson (Democrat-45th District), Rep. Margaret Arney (Democrat-18th District), and Rep. Mike Bare (Democrat-80th District), along with 37 other co-sponsors.
Tim Carpenter has co-authored or authored another 74 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with one of them being enacted.
Carpenter graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1982 with a BA.
Carpenter, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2003 to represent the state's 3rd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Brian Burke.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| SB380 | 07/28/2025 | Eliminating criminal defenses of adequate provocation, self-defense, or not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect if the claim is based on the victim’s gender identity or sexual orientation |
| SB374 | 07/16/2025 | Exemptions from minimum wage, overtime pay, and recordkeeping requirements for minor league baseball players |
| SB368 | 07/09/2025 | Storage of a firearm in a residence if child is present and providing a penalty |
| SB362 | 06/27/2025 | Forms of proof of identification for voting |
| SB361 | 06/27/2025 | Authorizing electors to vote in the primary of more than one political party. (FE) |
| SB360 | 06/27/2025 | Limiting the release of certain balloons into the atmosphere, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty |
| SB355 | 06/27/2025 | Establishing a civil cause of action for civil rights violations |
| SB352 | 06/27/2025 | Grants to hire school mental health professionals who are members of a racial minority group, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB351 | 06/27/2025 | Funding for University of Wisconsin System student health services and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB350 | 06/27/2025 | School mental health and pupil wellness aid and making an appropriation |
| SB349 | 06/27/2025 | Payment for school medical services. (FE) |
| SB348 | 06/27/2025 | Training to address student mental health and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB347 | 06/27/2025 | Aid for comprehensive school mental health services and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB343 | 06/27/2025 | Requiring bicycle and pedestrian facilities in highway projects and granting rule-making authority. (FE) |
| SB336 | 06/19/2025 | Sales and transfers of firearms and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| SB324 | 06/12/2025 | Prohibiting conversion therapy |
| SB321 | 06/12/2025 | Adopting gender-neutral terminology and incorporating gender-neutral marriage and parentage rights. (FE) |
| SB320 | 06/12/2025 | Grants for LGBTQIA+ rights training for school counselors and school social workers and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB278 | 05/22/2025 | Sunset of the community-oriented policing-house grant program |
| SB272 | 05/21/2025 | Eligibility for Family Care for individuals who are deaf-blind. (FE) |
Alerts Sign-up