WI Bills to Prohibit Police Cell Tracking, Allow Doctors to Say 'I'm Sorry'

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The Wisconsin state Senate plans to vote on a bill that would prohibit police from tracking cellphone locations without a warrant.

The measure up for a vote Tuesday passed the Assembly last week without opposition.

Under the bill, police would have to submit details about their investigation in the application for a warrant to track a cellphone.

That information would include the subject of the investigation, a statement of the crime and a statement of probable cause to believe there is criminal activity.

Police would also have to decide how tracking the phone would yield relevant information.

If the bill passes the Senate, it would head to Gov. Scott Walker for his consideration.

Doctors Could Say "I'm Sorry"

The Wisconsin state Assembly plans to vote on a bill that would allow doctors and other health care providers to say "I'm sorry'' without fear of the statements being used against them in court.

The measure up for a vote Tuesday would make statements of apology, condolence or sympathy inadmissible as evidence in civil court, or in administrative hearings concerning the health care provider's actions.

The bill has broad support in the medical community.

The Wisconsin Medical Society says the protection would encourage more "frank and full communications between a physician and a patient.''

But opponents, including the trial attorneys group Wisconsin Association for Justice, argue the change would make it more difficult for people injured by medical malpractice to bring a successful lawsuit.