Bill > AB497

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" subject to public records requirements and open meetings regulations. Under the new provisions, charter schools (whether or not they are considered an instrumentality of a school district) and private schools participating in programs like parental choice will now have to follow the same transparency rules as other government entities. The bill includes an important exemption that protects individual student records from public disclosure, ensuring student privacy is maintained. Additionally, the bill requires these schools to comply with specific chapters of Wisconsin's public records law (Chapters 19, Subchapters II and V) as a condition of participating in school choice programs. This change aims to increase accountability and transparency for schools receiving public funding while still safeguarding sensitive student information.

Education

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab497