Assembly Bill 1157 aims to expand pupil anti-discrimination protections to private schools participating in various parental choice programs and the Special Needs Scholarship Program in Wisconsin. The bill amends existing statutes to include prohibitions against discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression, in addition to the current protections against discrimination based on sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, and disabilities. It also requires private schools to develop written policies and procedures similar to those mandated for public schools, including a complaint process for violations of the anti-discrimination law.

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, aligning the enforcement mechanisms for private schools with those for public schools. The legislation also clarifies that private schools limiting admission based on sex must not deny admission to students whose gender identity aligns with the sex to which admissions are restricted. Overall, the bill seeks to ensure equitable treatment of all students in both public and participating private educational institutions.

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