cc / depositphotos
Governor Tony Evers signed Ethan’s Law yesterday afternoon (July 15th) in a State Capitol Signing Ceremony in Madison.
Bill co-author 25th Assembly District Representative Paul Tittl of Manitowoc, says this will prevent children in protective care from being placed with admitted child abusers.
“I wish I’d never have to draft a bill like this but the reality is it will protect our children in the future,” Tittl said. “Our kids are our precious commodity, and we must protect them.”
Ethan’s Law honors the memory of 7-year-old Ethan Hauschultz of rural Manitowoc who died in April 2018 after suffering a pattern of cruel abuse at a Town of Newton home where he had been lawfully placed by County workers despite a lengthy record of violence by his caregiver and great uncle Timothy Hauschultz.
He had been found guilty of felony child abuse in 2009 among several other violent past offenses but because of a plea bargain, Timothy Hauschultz’s record showed the conviction as Disorderly Conduct, a Non-Violent Misdemeanor.
First District State Senator Andre Jacque of De Pere represents Northern Manitowoc County in his constituency and helped craft Ethan’s Law with Representative Tittl.
“Ethan was unfortunately not the first child failed by the system,” Jacque said bluntly. “This will make the system work better for everybody including the County workers who are charged with making these placements and put in very difficult situations by the law as it previously read.”
Ethan’s Law passed both the Senate and Assembly on unanimous voice votes.
Both local lawmakers thanked Governor Evers for signing it adding that they are glad the Governor accepted this statutory change.
