LRB-4776/1
SWB:cdc
2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
November 8, 2023 - Introduced by Representatives Dittrich, O'Connor,
Magnafici, Michalski, Gundrum, Penterman, Allen, Goeben, Wichgers and
Rozar, cosponsored by Senators Quinn,
Nass and Tomczyk. Referred to
Committee on Children and Families.
AB641,1,2
1An Act to renumber 43.30 (4); and
to create 43.30 (4) (b) of the statutes;
2relating to: parental notification related to public library materials.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill requires public libraries to develop and implement a policy under
which the custodial parent or guardian of a child who is under the age of 16 is notified
of each document or material the child checks out from a public library as soon as is
practicable, but no later than 24 hours after the checkout. The bill requires the
library to post notice of the library's notification policy in a prominent place in the
library and on the library's website, if any. Under current law, subject to various
exceptions, library records that identify who borrows or uses a library material may
not be disclosed. One of the exceptions is for custodial parents or guardians of
children who are under the age of 16. Specifically, current law requires that a library
supported by public funds disclose to the custodial parent or guardian of a child who
is under the age of 16 all library records relating to the use of the library's documents
or other materials, resources, or services by the child, but only upon request of the
custodial parent or guardian.
For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB641,1
1Section
1. 43.30 (4) of the statutes is renumbered 43.30 (4) (a).
AB641,2
2Section
2. 43.30 (4) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
AB641,2,93
43.30
(4) (b) A library supported in whole or part by public funds shall develop
4and implement a policy under which the library notifies a custodial parent or
5guardian of a child who is under the age of 16 of each document or material, in any
6format, that the child borrows from the library as soon as practicable, but no later
7than 24 hours after the child borrows the document or material from the library. The
8library shall post a notice of the library's notification policy under this paragraph in
9a prominent place in the library and on the library's website, if any.
