LRB-4648/4
PG:skg:ks
1995 - 1996 LEGISLATURE
January 26, 1996 - Introduced by Representatives Jensen, Coleman, Lazich,
Owens, Handrick, Grothman, Riley, Olsen, Ziegelbauer, Schneiders,
Musser, Walker and
La Fave, cosponsored by Senators Fitzgerald and
Darling. Referred to Committee on Education.
AB824,1,1
1An Act to create 118.035 of the statutes;
relating to: school uniforms.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Current law authorizes a school board to adopt rules pertaining to the dress of
pupils. This bill specifically authorizes a school board to adopt a policy that requires
pupils enrolled in the school district (including pupils enrolled in charter schools
located in the school district) to wear a uniform in school. If a school board adopts
such a policy, it must allow a parent or guardian to exempt his or her child from the
policy, must ensure that no pupil is penalized academically or otherwise
discriminated against because the pupil's parent or guardian has chosen to exempt
the pupil from the policy, must give parents and guardians at least 6 months' notice
before implementing the policy and must assist economically disadvantaged pupils
to purchase the uniforms.
The bill also directs the department of education to report to the legislature by
July 1, 1997. The report must address all of the following issues:
1. Methods of encouraging the involvement of parents in a school board's
decision to require school uniforms.
2. State and federal constitutional concerns raised by the imposition of the
requirement.
3. The ability of pupils to purchase the uniforms.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB824, s. 1
2Section
1. 118.035 of the statutes is created to read:
AB824,1,4
3118.035 School uniforms.
(1) In this section, "pupils enrolled" includes
4pupils enrolled in charter schools located in the school district.
AB824,2,3
1(2) A school board may adopt a policy that requires pupils enrolled in the school
2district to wear a uniform in school if the school board determines that the policy is
3necessary for the health and safety of pupils.
AB824,2,4
4(3) If a school board adopts a policy under sub. (2), it shall do all of the following:
AB824,2,65
(a) Establish a method whereby the parent or guardian of a pupil enrolled in
6the school district may exempt his or her child from complying with the policy.
AB824,2,97
(b) Ensure that no pupil is penalized academically or otherwise discriminated
8against because the pupil's parent or guardian has chosen to exempt the pupil from
9complying with the policy.
AB824,2,1110
(c) Notify each parent or guardian of a pupil enrolled in the school district of
11the policy at least 6 months before the school board implements the policy.
AB824,2,1212
(d) Assist economically disadvantaged pupils to purchase the uniforms.
AB824, s. 2
13Section
2.
Nonstatutory provisions; study.
AB824,2,1714
(1) By July 1, 1997, the department of education shall submit a report to the
15appropriate standing committees of the legislature in the manner provided under
16section 13.172 (3) of the statutes. The report shall address all of the issues relating
17to the imposition of school uniforms by school boards:
AB824,2,1918
(a) Methods of encouraging the involvement of parents in a school board's
19decision to require school uniforms.
AB824,2,2120
(b) State and federal constitutional concerns raised by the imposition of the
21requirement.
AB824,2,2222
(c) The ability of pupils to purchase the uniforms.
