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WI SB496
WI SB496Verification of a pupil’s family income for participation in a parental choice program.
summary
Introduced
10/02/2025
10/02/2025
In Committee
10/02/2025
10/02/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under current law, to be eligible to participate in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program or the Racine Parental Choice Program, a pupil[s family income may not be more than 300 percent of the federal poverty level. Similarly, to be eligible to participate in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program, a pupil[s family income may not be more than 220 percent of the federal poverty level. Each parental choice program allows a pupil to continue participating in the parental choice program if the pupil[s family income increases. Under this bill, a pupil attending a private school under a parental choice program may not continue to participate in the parental choice program if the pupil[s family income increases and exceeds the maximum family income for the parental choice program. Under current law, each parental choice program requires that a pupil[s family income be verified through the Department of Revenue, but verification is not required if the pupil attended a private school under a parental choice program in the previous school year. The bill requires that, to participate in a parental choice program, a pupil[s family income must be verified through DOR each year, LRB-4264/1 FFK:ajk&cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 496 regardless of whether the pupil attended a private school under a parental choice program in the previous school year.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Wisconsin's parental choice programs by changing the rules for family income verification and eligibility. Currently, students can participate in the Milwaukee, Racine, and statewide Parental Choice Programs if their family income is at or below 300% (Milwaukee and Racine) or 220% (statewide) of the federal poverty level. Under the proposed legislation, a student would no longer be allowed to continue in the program if their family income increases and exceeds the maximum income threshold. Additionally, the bill requires annual family income verification through the Department of Revenue (DOR) for all participating students, regardless of whether they were in the program the previous year. Previously, students who had already been in the program were exempt from annual income verification. These changes would take effect for the 2026-27 school year, potentially impacting families' ability to maintain their children's enrollment in private school choice programs if their income increases beyond the specified limits.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (24)
Tim Carpenter (D)*,
Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D)*,
Sarah Keyeski (D)*,
Chris Larson (D)*,
Brad Pfaff (D)*,
Melissa Ratcliff (D)*,
Kelda Roys (D)*,
Mark Spreitzer (D)*,
Margaret Arney (D),
Mike Bare (D),
Ryan Clancy (D),
Angelina Cruz (D),
Joan Fitzgerald (D),
Francesca Hong (D),
Alex Joers (D),
Darrin Madison (D),
Lori Palmeri (D),
Christian Phelps (D),
Joe Sheehan (D),
Christine Sinicki (D),
Lee Snodgrass (D),
Ryan Spaude (D),
Angela Stroud (D),
Angelito Tenorio (D),
Last Action
Representative Johnson added as a cosponsor (on 10/03/2025)
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/sb496 |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB496.pdf |
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