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Bill > SB97
WI SB97
Parental notification of alleged sexual misconduct by a school staff member. (FE)
summary
Introduced
03/07/2025
03/07/2025
In Committee
03/07/2025
03/07/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires each school board, governing body of a private school, and operator of a charter school to notify a pupil[s parent or guardian if the school board, governing body, or operator receives a credible report alleging sexual misconduct by a school staff member and the pupil is identified as an alleged victim, target, or recipient of the misconduct. Under the bill, a school board, governing body, or operator must notify the pupil[s parent or guardian by no later than the end of the day on which the school board receives the report containing the alleged sexual misconduct. Under the bill, a report is considered to be received by a school board or operator of a charter school when it is received by an assistant principal, principal, assistant school district superintendent, school district superintendent, or school district administrator, and is considered to be received by the governing body of a private school when it is received by an assistant principal, principal, superintendent, executive director, or other individual who acts as the administrative head of the private school. Under current law, it is a Class I felony for a school staff member to commit an act of sexual misconduct against a pupil. Under current law and the bill, Xsexual misconductY means 1) communications made intentionally to sexually degrade, sexually humiliate, sexually arouse, or sexually gratify the pupil or the perpetrator or 2) intentional touching by the perpetrator or, upon the perpetrator[s instruction, LRB-2255/1 FFK:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 97 by the use of a body part or object, if the purpose of the intentional touching is to sexually degrade, sexually humiliate, sexually arouse, or sexually gratify the pupil or the perpetrator. The bill also requires school boards to annually provide information about how parents and guardians may access records related to school employee discipline under the state public records law. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill requires school boards, private school governing bodies, and charter school operators to promptly notify parents or guardians if a credible report of sexual misconduct involving a school staff member is received, with notification mandated by the end of the same day the report is received. Sexual misconduct is defined as intentional communications or physical touching meant to sexually degrade, humiliate, arouse, or gratify the pupil or perpetrator. The bill specifies that a report is considered "received" when it reaches specific administrative personnel, such as principals, assistant superintendents, or school administrators. Additionally, school boards must annually provide parents and guardians with information about how they can access records related to school employee discipline under public records laws. The bill's provisions will first apply to sexual misconduct reports received on the bill's effective date, aiming to enhance parental awareness and transparency regarding potential inappropriate behavior by school staff members.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (17)
Steve Nass (R)*,
Cory Tomczyk (R)*,
Elijah Behnke (R),
Lindee Brill (R),
Barbara Dittrich (R),
Benjamin Franklin (R),
Brent Jacobson (R),
Dean Kaufert (R),
Dan Knodl (R),
Rob Kreibich (R),
Paul Melotik (R),
Dave Murphy (R),
Jeff Mursau (R),
Jerry O'Connor (R),
David Steffen (R),
Paul Tittl (R),
Chuck Wichgers (R),
Last Action
Fiscal estimate received (on 03/25/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
Document Type | Source Location |
---|---|
State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb97 |
Fiscal Note - SB97: Fiscal Estimate From DPI | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/sb97/sb97_dpi.pdf |
BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB97.pdf |
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