(The Center Square) – Wisconsin schools must now inform the parents by the end of the day if they receive a credible report that their child was the victim or target of sexual misconduct by a member of school staff.
Bill sponsors said that, since the notification wasn’t already required, it was important to spell out the requirement in state law.
Gov. Tony Evers signed the bill into law earlier this month. The law applies to private, public and charter schools.
“Doing everything we can to keep our kids safe at school, at home, and in our communities is a top priority for me, as well as our schools and education professionals, who are frontlines of doing what’s best for our kids every day,” Evers said after signing the bill. “This bill will strengthen transparency by making sure parents and family members are notified if any misconduct at school affects their kids’ safety or well-being and bolster accountability by ensuring they know what their rights are and what their kids’ rights are.”
Rep. Benjamin Franklin, R-De Pere, cited a U.S. Department of Education estimate that one in 10 children will experience some form of sexual misconduct by school employees during their schooling.
The bill applies to credible threats of sexual misconduct by a staff member, if someone working at the school is convicted of a serious child sex offense or if a sex offender has intentionally captured a representation of a minor pupil without the parent or guardian’s written consent.
The school’s notification can be either in person, via phone or via voicemail and must be completed before the end of the day unless the report is received after normal business hours, in which case the notification must come by noon the following day.
Franklin noted that quick notification to parents allows them the chance to file a timely Title IX complaint.
The Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association testified in support of the bill.
