The dust has officially settled on the 2023-24 legislative session. A combined total of 2,458 pieces of legislation were introduced this session (1,113 in the Senate and 1,229 in the Assembly). Of these, 272 were signed into law and 70 were vetoed.
Here is a quick recap of where bills of interest ended up. All bills that did not pass this session are dead, and will need to be reintroduced next session, which begins in January 2025.
Vetoed by the Governor
Parental Rights: Assembly Bill 510, authored by Representative Wittke and Senator Wanggaard, which would have established a number of parental and guardian rights relating to a child's religion, medical care and records, and education. This bill was passed by the Legislature but vetoed by Governor Evers.
Tier 1 Licenses for Paraprofessionals: Senate Bill 608, authored by Senator Knodl and Representative Dittrich, would have allowed paraprofessionals who met certain criteria to receive a nonrenewable Tier 1 license from the Department of Public Instruction. This bill was passed by the Legislature but vetoed by Governor Evers.
Failed to Pass the Legislature
Harmful Materials: Senate Bill 10/Assembly Bill 15, authored by Representative Tittl and Senator Jacque, would have required public libraries and schools to limit minor/student access to harmful material on public computers. It also would have required schools to notify parents about offensive classroom materials. No action was taken on this bill.
Prosecution of School Employees: Senate Bill 305/Assembly Bill 308, authored by Senator Jacque and Representative Allen, would have removed public elementary and secondary schools, private schools, and tribal schools from the list of institutions for which an employee is protected from prosecution for an obscene materials violation under 944.21 of Wisconsin statutes, effective August 20, 2024. A public hearing was held on AB 308, but it was never advanced out of the Assembly Committee. No action was taken in the Senate.
Prohibitions on CSF Dollars: Senate Bill 304/Assembly Bill 309, authored by Senator Jacque and Representative Allen, would have prohibited school districts from using Common School Fund dollars to purchase any item that would be considered an obscene material under 944.21(2)(c) of state statute. No action was taken on this bill.
24-Hour School Library Notification Requirement: Senate Bill 597/Assembly Bill 642, authored by Senator Quinn and Representative Dittrich, would have required schools to develop and implement a policy under which a custodial parent/guardian of all students under the age of 16 received a notification of each item checked out by the student within 24-hours. A public hearing was held on SB 597, but it was never advanced out of the Senate Committee. No action was taken in the Assembly.
Ban the Book Bans: Senate Bill 615/Assembly Bill 657, authored by Senator Roys and Representative Emerson, would have prohibited a library, public or private elementary or secondary school, or institution of higher education from receiving state or local funds if the entity prohibits, bans, or unreasonably restricts access to any book or other media. No action was taken on this bill.
School Librarians: Senate Bill 758/Assembly Bill 782, authored by Senator Larson and Representative J. Anderson, would have required every K-12 public school and every K-12 school participating in a parental choice program to employ a full time librarian. No action was taken on this bill.
Library Complaint Standards: Senate Bill 824/Assembly 783, authored by Senator L. Johnson and Representative J. Anderson, would have put standards into state statute related to individuals making complaints against school library materials. No action was taken on this bill.
