Gov. Scott Walker March 30 signed AB 341 into law, which enables law enforcement to press felony charges against individuals who make terrorist threats.

The bill, authored by state Rep. Ed Brooks (R-Reedsburg) and state Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green),   was inspired by input from Reedsburg Police Chief Tim Becker.

“In 2014, a young man threatened to ‘shoot up an elementary school’ in Reedsburg,” explained Brooks. “While he didn’t carry out an attack, his threat had repercussions throughout the community. Parents pulled their children out of school, police had to investigate, and police presence was required at area schools. Threats are serious business, and I agreed with Chief Becker that we should be able to charge people who make threats with something stronger than a misdemeanor for disturbing the peace. AB 341 sends the message that threats are not pranks – they can have serious consequences.”

Prior to the signing, the bill had passed both the Assembly and the Senate with strong bi-partisan support. It is now codified as Act 311.