Wisconsin Senate to vote on sexual assault victim amnesty bill

MADISON — The Wisconsin Senate is poised to take up a bill that would ensure sexual assault victims and others who report such crimes can't be cited or disciplined for underage drinking.

Many colleges and police departments typically don't discipline or cite people for underage drinking if they're victims of sexual assault or reported the crime. This bill aims to solidify that practice in state law, and supporters say it will encourage more reports.

According to a 2014 U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics report, about 80 percent of rape and sexual assault victimizations of students aren't reported to police.

The Assembly approved the measure in early February. The Senate plans to take it up in a session scheduled to begin Tuesday morning.