Senate Bill 495 aims to extend the application of Wisconsin's public records and open meetings laws to charter schools and private schools that participate in parental choice programs. The bill amends existing statutes to explicitly include these schools as governmental bodies, thereby subjecting them to the same transparency requirements as other public entities. Notably, the bill also creates an exemption for records concerning individual pupils maintained by these schools, ensuring that sensitive student information remains confidential.

The bill includes specific legal language changes, such as the insertion of definitions for charter schools and private schools within the context of public records law. It amends sections 19.32 and 19.82 to classify these schools as authorities and governmental bodies, respectively. Additionally, new sections 19.36 (17), 115.7915 (6) (L), 118.60 (2) (a) 10., and 119.23 (2) (a) 10. are created to mandate compliance with the relevant chapters of public records law for these educational institutions.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 19.32(1), 19.32, 19.82(1), 19.82