A bill authored by State Rep. Joe Sheehan in the Wisconsin Assembly aims to promote transparency by applying public records and open meetings laws to charter and private choice schools, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature’s official website, the bill was described as follows: “application of the public records and open meetings laws to charter schools and private schools participating in school choice programs”.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill mandates that charter schools and private schools participating in parental choice programs adhere to the state’s public records and open meetings laws, ensuring transparency similar to other public entities. It specifies that these schools are considered governmental bodies and authorities under these laws. However, the bill exempts from disclosure records pertaining to individual students, protecting pupil privacy while maintaining public access to broader school records and meetings. By extending these regulations to charter and private schools in choice programs, the bill seeks to promote transparency and public accountability.
The bill was co-authored by Sen. Chris Larson (Democrat-7th District), Rep. Margaret Arney (Democrat-18th District), Rep. Mike Bare (Democrat-80th District), Rep. Ryan M. Clancy (Democrat-19th District), and Rep. Joan Fitzgerald (Democrat-46th District). It was co-sponsored by Sen. Tim Carpenter (Democrat-3rd District), Sen. Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), and Sen. Sarah Keyeski (Democrat-14th District), along with 14 other co-sponsors.
Joe Sheehan has co-authored or authored another 78 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Sheehan graduated from Michigan State University in 1981 with a BA.
Sheehan, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state’s 26th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Terry Katsma.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| AB497 | 10/09/2025 | Application of the public records and open meetings laws to charter schools and private schools participating in school choice programs |
| AB496 | 10/09/2025 | Verification of a pupil’s family income for participation in a parental choice program |
| AB464 | 09/26/2025 | Prevailing wage, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| AB48 | 02/17/2025 | Providing state aid to reimburse public and private schools that provide free meals to all pupils for the costs of those meals and making an appropriation. (FE) |
