Legislature to introduce bills aimed at making Wisconsin National Guard more transparent

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Last year, the state Department of Justice wrapped up an 18-month review of sexual assault cases in the Wisconsin National Guard.

The review followed a 2019 investigation by the federal National Guard that found at least 33 sexual assault cases were mishandled.

It was discovered the Wisconsin Guard sometimes failed to track these cases and punish perpetrators and as a result, the guard's chief major general was fired.

Now, the state Legislature wants to introduce a series of bills aimed at making the National Guard more transparent.

"I think that's where that transparency comes in to say, okay, you know, every year now the Guard is going to give us a report," said Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc). 

If the bills pass, the Guard will send data to the governor and lawmakers detailing the number of reported sexual assaults and harassment cases and what policies the Guard has put into place to prevent those incidents.

These bills will be brought to the Legislature next year. They have broad bipartisan support, including Governor Tony Evers.