Bill > SB495

This bill expands Wisconsin's public records and open meetings laws to explicitly include charter schools and private schools participating in school choice programs. Specifically, the bill amends existing statutes to define these schools as "authorities" and "governmental bodies" subject to transparency requirements, meaning they must follow the same public disclosure rules as other government entities. The bill includes an important exemption that protects individual student records from public disclosure, ensuring student privacy. To participate in school choice programs, private schools must now comply with public records and open meetings laws (Chapters 19 Subchapters II and V). This change means that these schools will need to make certain documents and meeting records available to the public, similar to traditional public schools, while still protecting sensitive student information. The bill aims to increase transparency and accountability for schools receiving public funding through school choice programs, giving parents and community members more insight into how these schools operate.

Education

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb495