summary
Introduced
11/07/2025
11/07/2025
In Committee
11/07/2025
11/07/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill creates for students a statutory cause of action for fraud against private for-profit colleges. Under current law, before a private for-profit postsecondary institution (proprietary school) may operate in this state, it must obtain approval from the Department of Safety and Professional Services. A proprietary school that violates this requirement is subject to a forfeiture of $500 for each violating day of operation. In addition, a student who attends a violating proprietary school may bring a civil action to recover fees paid to the school along with costs and reasonable attorney fees. The bill allows a student to bring an action against a proprietary school on the basis that the proprietary school provided materially false, fraudulent, or misleading information to the student. A prevailing student may recover fees paid to the school along with costs and reasonable attorney fees.
AI Summary
This bill modifies existing Wisconsin law to expand legal protections for students attending private for-profit postsecondary schools (also known as proprietary schools). Currently, students can bring a civil action to recover fees if a school is operating without proper approval from the Department of Safety and Professional Services. The bill adds a new provision allowing students to sue these schools if they have provided materially false, fraudulent, or misleading information. If a student prevails in such a lawsuit, they can recover the fees they paid to the school, along with court costs and reasonable attorney fees. This change aims to provide additional legal recourse for students who may have been misled by private for-profit educational institutions, potentially protecting students from deceptive marketing or false claims about educational programs, credentials, or job prospects.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (16)
Margaret Arney (D)*,
Mike Bare (D)*,
Ryan Clancy (D)*,
Ben DeSmidt (D)*,
Darrin Madison (D)*,
Vincent Miresse (D)*,
Christian Phelps (D)*,
Joe Sheehan (D)*,
Angela Stroud (D)*,
Shelia Stubbs (D)*,
Angelito Tenorio (D)*,
Dianne Hesselbein (D),
LaTonya Johnson (D),
Chris Larson (D),
Kelda Roys (D),
Mark Spreitzer (D),
Last Action
Representative Vining added as a coauthor (on 12/17/2025)
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/asm/bill/ab642 |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB642.pdf |
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