Senate Bill 135 proposes the addition of February 18, the birthday of Vel R. Phillips, to the list of special observance days recognized in Wisconsin schools. This bill amends current law, which already includes 22 special observance days such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Veterans Day. The legislation stipulates that these special observance days must be appropriately acknowledged when school is in session on that day, or on the school day immediately before or after if the day falls on a weekend.

The new legal language created by this bill is found in Section 1, which establishes 118.02 (3m) of the statutes to specifically include February 18 as a recognized observance. The bill will take effect for the school year that begins after its effective date, ensuring that schools can incorporate this observance into their calendars moving forward.