Senate Bill 565 aims to enhance pupil anti-discrimination protections in Wisconsin by extending existing laws to private schools participating in various parental choice programs, including the Milwaukee, Racine, and Wisconsin Parental Choice Programs, as well as the Special Needs Scholarship Program. The bill prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression, in addition to existing categories such as sex, race, religion, and sexual orientation. It requires both public school boards and the governing bodies of participating private schools to develop written policies and procedures to implement these anti-discrimination laws, including a complaint process for violations.

Furthermore, the bill allows the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to impose penalties on private school officials, employees, or teachers who engage in discriminatory conduct, similar to the existing provisions for public school personnel. The legislation also amends various sections of the statutes to incorporate these changes, including the addition of new language that explicitly includes gender identity and gender expression as protected categories. Overall, the bill seeks to ensure that all students, regardless of their gender identity or expression, have equal access to educational opportunities in both public and participating private schools.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 118.019(2d), 118.019, 118.13(1), 118.13, 118.13(2)(a), 118.13(3)(a)3, 118.13(4), 118.20(1), 118.20, 118.40(4)(b)2, 118.40