SB70: Bill Text

SB70,1216,8 118.51 (17) (c) 1. If Beginning in the 2022-23 school year, if the number determined in par. (b) 1. a. is greater than the number determined in par. (b) 1. b. for a school district, in the 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19 school years, the department shall increase that school district's state aid payment under s. 121.08 by an amount equal to the difference multiplied by an the amount under par. (b) 2. a., b., or c. for the applicable school year.

SB70,1216,20 2. If Beginning in the 2022-23 school year, if the number determined in par. (b) 1. a. is less than the number determined in par. (b) 1. b. for a school district, in the 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19 school years, the department shall decrease that school district's state aid payment under s. 121.08 by an amount equal to the difference multiplied by an the amount under par. (b) 2. a., b., or c. for the applicable school year. If the state aid payment under s. 121.08 is insufficient to cover the reduction, the department shall decrease other state aid payments made by the department to the school district by the remaining amount. If the state aid payment under s. 121.08 and other state aid payments made by the department to the school district are insufficient to cover the reduction, the department shall use the moneys appropriated under s. 20.255 (2) (cg) to pay the balance to school districts under subd. 1.

SB70,2174 Section 2174. 118.51 (17) (cm) of the statutes is repealed.

SB70,2175 Section 2175. 118.60 (2) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1217,3 118.60 (2) (a) (intro.) Subject to pars. (ag) and, (ar), and (bh), any pupil in grades kindergarten to 12 who resides within in an eligible school district may attend any private school under this section and, subject to pars. (ag), (ar), (be), (bh), (bm), and (bs), any pupil in grades kindergarten to 12 who resides in a school district, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, may attend any private school under this section if all of the following apply:

SB70,2176 Section 2176. 118.60 (2) (a) 2. g. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1217,7 118.60 (2) (a) 2. g. If the pupil resides in a school district, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, the pupil was on a waiting list under sub. (3) (am) 4. or (ar) 4. in any previous school year.

SB70,2177 Section 2177. 118.60 (2) (a) 6. a. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1217,13 118.60 (2) (a) 6. a. Except as provided in subd. 6. c. and d., all of the private school's teachers have a teaching license issued by the department or a bachelor's degree or a degree or educational credential higher than a bachelor's degree, including a masters master's or doctorate, from a nationally or regionally accredited institution of higher education. This subd. 6. a. does not apply after June 30, 2026.

SB70,2178 Section 2178. 118.60 (2) (a) 6m. of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1217,17 118.60 (2) (a) 6m. a. Except as provided in subd. 6m. b., beginning on July 1, 2026, all of the private school's teachers have a teaching license or permit issued by the department.

SB70,1218,2 b. A teacher employed by the private school on July 1, 2026, who has been teaching for at least the 5 consecutive years immediately preceding July 1, 2026, and who does not satisfy the requirements under subd. 6m. a. on July 1, 2026, may apply to the department on a form prepared by the department for a temporary, nonrenewable waiver from the requirements under subd. 6m. a. The department shall promulgate rules to implement this subd. 6m. b., including the form of the application and the process by which the waiver application will be reviewed. The application form shall require the applicant to submit a plan for satisfying the requirements under subd. 6m. a. No waiver granted under this subd. 6m. b. is valid after July 1, 2031.

SB70,2179 Section 2179. 118.60 (2) (a) 10. of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1218,6 118.60 (2) (a) 10. If the private school operates any grade from 9 to 12, the private school makes available to pupils in grades 9 to 12 at least one computer science course that includes concepts in computer programming or coding.

SB70,2180 Section 2180. 118.60 (2) (be) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1218,10 118.60 (2) (be) 3. Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, there is no limit on the number of pupils who may attend private schools the limits under this section paragraph do not apply.

SB70,2181 Section 2181. 118.60 (2) (bh) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1218,12 118.60 (2) (bh) 1. In this paragraph, “program cap” means any of the following:

SB70,1218,15 a. For an eligible school district, the total number of pupils residing in the eligible school district who attended a private school under this section in the 2023-24 school year.

SB70,1218,18 b. For all school districts, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, the total number of pupils residing in those school districts who attended a private school under this section in the 2023-24 school year.

SB70,1218,21 2. a. Beginning with the 2024-25 school year, the total number of pupils residing in an eligible school district who may attend a private school under this section during a school year may not exceed the program cap under subd. 1. a.

SB70,1218,25 b. Beginning with the 2024-25 school year, the total number of pupils residing in school districts, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, who may attend a private school under this section during a school year may not exceed the program cap under subd. 1. b.

SB70,2182 Section 2182. 118.60 (2) (c) 3. of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1219,5 118.60 (2) (c) 3. Notwithstanding par. (a) 6m., a teacher employed by a private school participating in the program under this section who teaches only courses in rabbinical studies is not required to hold a license or permit to teach issued by the department.

SB70,2183 Section 2183 . 118.60 (3) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1219,20 118.60 (3) (a) (intro.) The pupil or the pupil's parent or guardian shall submit an application, on a form provided by the state superintendent, to the participating private school that the pupil wishes to attend. If more than one pupil from the same family applies to attend the same private school, the pupils may use a single application. No later than 60 days after the end of the application period during which an application is received and subject to par. pars. (am) and (ar), the private school shall notify each applicant, in writing, whether his or her application has been accepted. If the private school rejects an application, the notice shall include the reason. Subject to par. pars. (am) and (ar), a private school may reject an applicant only if it the private school has reached its maximum general capacity or seating capacity. Except as provided in par. pars. (am) and (ar), the state superintendent shall ensure that the private school determines which pupils to accept on a random basis, except that the private school may give preference to the following in accepting applications, in the order of preference listed:

SB70,2184 Section 2184 . 118.60 (3) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1219,23 118.60 (3) (am) All of the following apply to applications to attend a private school under this section submitted by pupils who reside in an eligible school district:

SB70,1220,5 1. A private school that has submitted a notice of intent to participate under sub. (2) (a) 3. a. may accept applications for a school year during application periods determined by the department from pupils who reside in an eligible school district. For each school year, the department shall establish one or more application periods under this subdivision, the first of which begins no earlier than the first weekday in February of the school year before the applicable school year, and the last of which ends no later than September 14 of the applicable school year.

SB70,1220,12 2. Each private school that received applications under subd. 1. shall report to the department the number of pupils who applied under subd. 1. to attend the private school under this section and the names of those applicants who have siblings who also applied under subd. 1. to attend the private school under this section. The private school shall submit the report no later than 10 days after each application period described under subd. 1. during which the private school received applications.

SB70,1220,23 3. After the end of each application period described under subd. 1., upon receipt of the information under subd. 2., the department shall determine the sum of all applicants for pupils residing in an eligible school district. In determining the sum, the department shall count a pupil who has applied to attend more than one private school under the program under this section only once. If, after the end of an application period described under subd. 1., the sum of all applicants for pupils residing in an eligible school district exceeds the program cap under sub. (2) (bh) 2. a., the department shall determine which applications submitted during the application period to accept on a random basis, except that the department shall give preference to the applications of pupils described in par. (a) 1m. to 5., in the order of preference listed in that paragraph.

SB70,1221,3 4. If the sum under subd. 3. exceeds the program cap under sub. (2) (bh) 2. a., the department shall establish a waiting list in accordance with the preferences required under subd. 3.

SB70,1221,11 5. A private school that has accepted a pupil who resides in an eligible school district under this paragraph shall notify the department whenever the private school determines that a pupil will not attend the private school under this paragraph. If, upon receiving notice under this subdivision, the department determines that the number of pupils attending private schools under this section falls below the program cap under sub. (2) (bh) 2. a., the department shall fill any available slot with a pupil selected from the waiting list established under subd. 4., if such a waiting list exists.

SB70,2185 Section 2185 . 118.60 (3) (ar) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1221,16 118.60 (3) (ar) (intro.) All of the following apply to applications to attend a private school under this section only if the limitation under sub. (2) (be) applies to the school year for which the application is made submitted by pupils who reside in a school district, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district:

SB70,2186 Section 2186 . 118.60 (3) (ar) 3. of the statutes is renumbered 118.60 (3) (ar) 3. (intro.) and amended to read:

SB70,1222,5 118.60 (3) (ar) 3. (intro.) Annually After the end of the application period described under subd. 1., upon receipt of the information under subd. 2., the department shall, for each school district, determine the sum of all applicants for pupils residing in that school district under this paragraph and the sum of all applicants for pupils residing in all school districts, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district. In determining the sum those sums, the department shall count a pupil who has applied to attend more than one private school under the program only once. After determining the sum of all applicants for pupils residing in a school district, those sums, if any of the following applies, the department shall determine which applications to accept on a random basis, except that the department shall give preference to the applications of pupils described in par. (a) 1m. to 5., in the order of preference listed in that paragraph .:

SB70,2187 Section 2187. 118.60 (3) (ar) 3. a. and b. of the statutes are created to read:

SB70,1222,9 118.60 (3) (ar) 3. a. The sum of all applicants for pupils residing in a school district, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, exceeds the school district's pupil participation limit under sub. (2) (be).

SB70,1222,12 b. The sum of all applicants for pupils residing in all school districts, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, exceeds the program cap under sub. (2) (bh) 2. b.

SB70,2188 Section 2188. 118.60 (3) (ar) 4. of the statutes is renumbered 118.60 (3) (ar) 4. (intro.) and amended to read:

SB70,1222,19 118.60 (3) (ar) 4. (intro.) For each school district in which private schools received applications under subd. 1. that exceeded the school district's pupil participation limit under sub. (2) (be), the The department shall establish a waiting list in accordance with the preferences required under subd. 3. for each of the following:

SB70,2189 Section 2189. 118.60 (3) (ar) 4. a. and b. of the statutes are created to read:

SB70,1222,23 118.60 (3) (ar) 4. a. A school district, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, for which the sum described under subd. 3. a. exceeds the school district's pupil participation limit under sub. (2) (be).

SB70,1223,3 b. All school districts, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, if the sum described under subd. 3. b. exceeds the program cap under sub. (2) (bh) 2. b.

SB70,2190 Section 2190. 118.60 (3) (ar) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1223,14 118.60 (3) (ar) 5. A private school that has accepted a pupil who resides in a school district, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, under this paragraph shall notify the department whenever the private school determines that a pupil will not attend the private school under this paragraph. If, upon receiving notice under this subdivision, the department determines that the number of pupils attending private schools under this section falls below a school district's pupil participation limit under sub. (2) (be), or below the program cap under sub. (2) (bh) 2. b., the department shall fill any available slot in that school district or program with a pupil selected from the school district's applicable waiting list established under subd. 4., if such a waiting list exists.

SB70,2191 Section 2191. 118.60 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1224,2 118.60 (3) (b) If a participating private school rejects an applicant who resides within in an eligible school district because the private school has too few available spaces, the applicant may transfer his or her application to a participating private school that has space available. An applicant who is rejected under this paragraph or an applicant who is on the waiting list under par. (am) 4. may, subject to sub. (2) (bh) 2. a., be admitted to a private school participating in the program under this section for the following school year, provided that the applicant continues to reside within in an eligible school district. The department may not require, in that following school year, the private school to submit financial information regarding the applicant or to verify the eligibility of the applicant to participate in the program under this section on the basis of family income.

SB70,2192 Section 2192. 118.60 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1224,16 118.60 (3) (c) If a participating private school rejects an applicant who resides in a school district, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, because the private school has too few available spaces, the applicant may transfer his or her application to a participating private school that has space available. An applicant who is rejected under this paragraph or an applicant who is on the a waiting list under par. (ar) 4. a. or b. may, subject to sub. (2) (be) and (bh) 2. b., be admitted to a private school participating in the program under this section for the following school year, provided that the applicant continues to reside in a school district, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district. The department may not require, in that following school year, the private school to submit financial information regarding the applicant or to verify the eligibility of the applicant to participate in the program under this section on the basis of family income.

SB70,2193 Section 2193. 118.60 (4) (bg) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1225,4 118.60 (4) (bg) 3. In the 2015-16 to 2022-23 school year and in each school year thereafter years, upon receipt from the pupil's parent or guardian of proof of the pupil's enrollment in the private school during a school term, except as provided in subd. 5., the state superintendent shall pay to the private school in which the pupil is enrolled on behalf of the pupil's parent or guardian, from the appropriation under s. 20.255 (2) (fr), an amount equal to the sum of the maximum amount per pupil the state superintendent paid a private school under this section in the previous school year for the grade in which the pupil is enrolled; the amount of the per pupil revenue adjustment under s. 121.91 (2m) for the current school year, if positive; and the change in the amount of statewide categorical aid per pupil between the previous school year and the current school year, as determined under s. 118.40 (2r) (e) 2p., if positive.

SB70,2194 Section 2194 . 118.60 (4) (bg) 6. of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1225,16 118.60 (4) (bg) 6. Beginning in the 2023-24 school year and in each school year thereafter, upon receipt from the pupil's parent or guardian of proof of the pupil's enrollment in the private school during a school term, except as provided in subd. 7., the state superintendent shall pay to the private school in which the pupil is enrolled on behalf of the pupil's parent or guardian, from the appropriation under s. 20.255 (2) (fr), an amount equal to the sum of the maximum amount per pupil the state superintendent paid a private school under this section in the previous school year for the grade in which the pupil is enrolled; the amount of the per pupil revenue adjustment under s. 121.91 (2m) for the current school year, if positive; and the change in the per pupil amount under s. 115.437 (2) between the previous school year and the current school year, if positive.

SB70,2195 Section 2195 . 118.60 (4) (bg) 7. of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1225,22 118.60 (4) (bg) 7. If the pupil described in subd. 6. is enrolled in a private school that enrolls pupils under the program in any grade between kindergarten to 8 and also in any grade between 9 to 12, the state superintendent shall substitute for the amount described in subd. 6. the amount determined under subd. 4. a. to d., with the following modifications:

SB70,1226,4 a. Multiply the number of pupils participating in the program who are enrolled in the private school in any grade between kindergarten to 8 by the sum of the maximum amount per pupil the state superintendent paid a private school under this section in the previous school year for the grade in which the pupil is enrolled; the amount of the per pupil revenue adjustment under s. 121.91 (2m) for the current school year, if positive; and the change in the per pupil amount under s. 115.437 (2) between the previous school year and the current school year, if positive.

SB70,1226,11 b. Multiply the number of pupils participating in the program who are enrolled in the private school in any grade between 9 to 12 by the sum of the maximum amount per pupil the state superintendent paid a private school under this section in the previous school year for the grade in which the pupil is enrolled; the amount of the per pupil revenue adjustment under s. 121.91 (2m) for the current school year, if positive; and the change in the per pupil amount under s. 115.437 (2) between the previous school year and the current school year, if positive.

SB70,2196 Section 2196. 118.60 (4v) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1226,18 118.60 (4v) (b) If the department considers a pupil as a resident of an eligible school district under par. (a) for a school year, the department shall ensure that the pupil is not counted for that school year for purposes of determining whether a school district has exceeded its pupil participation limit under sub. (2) (be) and that the pupil is not counted for that school year for purposes of determining whether a program cap under sub. (2) (bh) 2. a. or b. has been exceeded.

SB70,2197 Section 2197. 118.60 (4v) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1226,23 118.60 (4v) (c) The department may consider a pupil enrolled in a private school participating in the program under this section who satisfies all of the following as a resident of a school district, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, who is enrolled in the private school under this section:

SB70,1226,25 1. The pupil was a resident of an eligible school district when the pupil applied to participate in the program under this section.

SB70,1227,2 2. The pupil accepted a space at a private school participating in the program under this section as a resident of an eligible school district.

SB70,1227,4 3. The pupil resides in a school district, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, on the 3rd Friday in September.

SB70,1227,7 4. The private school the pupil is attending under this section accepts applications under this section from pupils who reside in school districts, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district.

SB70,2198 Section 2198. 118.60 (4v) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1227,15 118.60 (4v) (d) If the department considers a pupil as a resident of a school district, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, under par. (c) for a school year, the department shall ensure that the pupil is not counted for that school year for purposes of determining whether the school district has exceeded its pupil participation limit under sub. (2) (be) and that the pupil is not counted for that school year for purposes of determining whether a program cap under sub. (2) (bh) 2. a. or b. has been exceeded.

SB70,2199 Section 2199. 119.04 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1228,5 119.04 (1) Subchapters IV, V and VII of ch. 115, ch. 121 and ss. 66.0235 (3) (c), 66.0603 (1m) to (3), 115.01 (1) and (2), 115.28, 115.31, 115.33, 115.34, 115.3415, 115.342, 115.343, 115.344, 115.345, 115.363, 115.364, 115.365 (3), 115.366, 115.367 115.369, 115.38 (2), 115.415, 115.422, 115.445, 118.001 to 118.04, 118.045, 118.06, 118.07, 118.075, 118.076, 118.10, 118.12, 118.125 to 118.14, 118.145 (4), 118.15, 118.153, 118.16, 118.162, 118.163, 118.164, 118.18, 118.19, 118.196, 118.20, 118.223, 118.225, 118.24 (1), (2) (c) to (f), (6), (8), and (10), 118.245, 118.25, 118.255, 118.258, 118.291, 118.292, 118.293, 118.2935, 118.30 to 118.43, 118.46, 118.50, 118.51, 118.52, 118.53, 118.55, 118.56, 120.12 (2m), (4m), (5), and (15) to (27), 120.125, 120.13 (1), (2) (b) to (g), (3), (14), (17) to (19), (26), (34), (35), (37), (37m), and (38), 120.137, 120.14, 120.20, 120.21 (3), and 120.25 are applicable to a 1st class city school district and board but not, unless explicitly provided in this chapter or in the terms of a contract, to the commissioner or to any school transferred to an opportunity schools and partnership program.

SB70,2200 Section 2200. 119.23 (2) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1228,9 119.23 (2) (a) (intro.) Subject to pars. (ag) and, (ar), and (b), any pupil in grades kindergarten to 12 who resides within the city may attend any private school if all of the following apply:

SB70,2201 Section 2201. 119.23 (2) (a) 6. a. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1228,15 119.23 (2) (a) 6. a. Except as provided in subd. 6. c., all of the private school's teachers have a teaching license issued by the department or a bachelor's degree or a degree or educational credential higher than a bachelor's degree, including a masters master's or doctorate, from a nationally or regionally accredited institution of higher education. This subd. 6. a. does not apply after June 30, 2026.

SB70,2202 Section 2202. 119.23 (2) (a) 6m. of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1228,19 119.23 (2) (a) 6m. a. Except as provided in subd. 6m. b., beginning on July 1, 2026, all of the private school's teachers have a teaching license or permit issued by the department.

SB70,1229,4 b. A teacher employed by the private school on July 1, 2026, who has been teaching for at least the 5 consecutive years immediately preceding July 1, 2026, and who does not satisfy the requirements under subd. 6m. a. on July 1, 2026, may apply to the department on a form prepared by the department for a temporary, nonrenewable waiver from the requirements under subd. 6m. a. The department shall promulgate rules to implement this subd. 6m. b., including the form of the application and the process by which the waiver application will be reviewed. The application form shall require the applicant to submit a plan for satisfying the requirements under subd. 6m. a. No waiver granted under this subd. 6m. b. is valid after July 1, 2031.

SB70,2203 Section 2203. 119.23 (2) (a) 10. of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1229,8 119.23 (2) (a) 10. If the private school operates any grade from 9 to 12, the private school makes available to pupils in grades 9 to 12 at least one computer science course that includes concepts in computer programming or coding.

SB70,2204 Section 2204. 119.23 (2) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1229,12 119.23 (2) (b) 1. In this paragraph, “program cap” means the total number of pupils residing in the city who attended a private school under this section in the 2023-24 school year.

SB70,1229,15 2. Beginning with the 2024-25 school year, the total number of pupils residing in the city who may attend a private school under this section during a school year may not exceed the program cap.

SB70,2205 Section 2205. 119.23 (2) (c) 3. of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1229,20 119.23 (2) (c) 3. Notwithstanding par. (a) 6m., a teacher employed by a private school participating in the program under this section who teaches only courses in rabbinical studies is not required to hold a license or permit to teach issued by the department.

SB70,2206 Section 2206. 119.23 (3) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1230,10 119.23 (3) (a) (intro.) The pupil or the pupil's parent or guardian shall submit an application, on a form provided by the state superintendent, to the participating private school that the pupil wishes to attend. If more than one pupil from the same family applies to attend the same private school, the pupils may use a single application. No later than 60 days after the end of the application period during which an application is received and subject to par. (ar), the private school shall notify each applicant, in writing, whether his or her application has been accepted. If the private school rejects an application, the notice shall include the reason. A Subject to par. (ar), a private school may reject an applicant only if it the private school has reached its maximum general capacity or seating capacity. The Except as provided in par. (ar), the state superintendent shall ensure that the private school determines which pupils to accept on a random basis, except that the private school may give preference to the following in accepting applications, in order of preference listed:

SB70,2207 Section 2207. 119.23 (3) (ar) of the statutes is created to read: