Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. — The state Senate is set to take up a bill that would expand situations where authorities could conduct strip searches.
Right now, anyone who is arrested or detained on suspicion of a crime that isn’t a felony can be strip-searched only if he or she will be held in a jail or prison with other people for at least 12 hours. The Republican-authored bill would remove the 12-hour holding period needed to conduct a strip search.
The Senate is expected to vote on the bill during a floor session scheduled to begin Wednesday morning.
Last month the Milwaukee city attorney recommended a $5 million settlement for 14 federal lawsuits alleging illegal strip searches by Milwaukee police. Seventy-four black men alleged they were subjected to illegal strip and body cavity searches.
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