Wisconsin 2025 Regular Session Status: Introduced 9 D cosponsors

SB 604 — Relating to: teacher and administrator licensure in parental choice programs and in the Special Needs Scholarship Program and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

Last action — Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

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  1. 1
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed Assembly
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been introduced in the Senate. Introduced October 30, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee referral and hearing.

Prognosis

Not enough signal yet

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

Not enough signal yet to read this bill's trajectory — we surface a likelihood only once there's real movement (stage, sponsorship, committee, or votes) to point to.

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Summary

An Act to amend 115.28 (7) (b), 118.19 (1), 118.19 (1b), 118.19 (1c) (b) (intro.), 118.19 (3) (a), 118.19 (3) (b), 118.19 (10) (b) 1., 118.191 (2) (a), 118.191 (2) (b), 118.191 (2m), 118.191 (3), 118.191 (4), 118.192 (4), 118.60 (2) (a) 6. a., 118.60 (2) (a) 6. b., 119.23 (2) (a) 6. a. and 119.23 (2) (a) 6. b.; to create 115.7915 (2) (i), 118.60 (2) (a) 6m., 118.60 (2) (c) 3., 118.60 (2) (c) 4., 119.23 (2) (a) 6m., 119.23 (2) (c) 3. and 119.23 (2) (c) 4. of the statutes;

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

9 changes Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill requires teachers and administrators at private schools in parental choice programs and the Special Needs Scholarship Program to hold licenses starting July 1, 2027, with certain exceptions and provisions for existing staff.

  • Wis. Stat. § 115.28 (7) (b)

    Private schools are not obligated to employ only licensed or certified teachers. → Except as provided under ss. 115.7915 (2) (i), 118.60 (2) (a) 6m., and 119.23 (2) (a) 6m.,

    The bill clarifies that private schools must comply with licensing requirements for staff in certain programs.

  • Wis. Stat. § 118.19 (1)

    in a private school participating in a parental choice program under s. 118.60 or 119.23, or in a private school participating in the program under s. 115.7915

    Adds a requirement for teachers in private choice schools to procure a license or permit.

  • Wis. Stat. § 118.19 (1b)

    in a private school participating in a parental choice program under s. 118.60 or 119.23, or in a private school participating in the program under s. 115.7915

    Allows unlicensed individuals to teach online courses in private choice schools if they have a relevant license from another state.

  • Wis. Stat. § 118.19 (1c) (b) (intro.)

    in a private school participating in a parental choice program under s. 118.60 or 119.23 that operates only high school grades, or in a private school participating in the program under s. 115.7915 that operates only high school grades

    Expands the ability for faculty members to teach in private choice schools without a license.

  • Wis. Stat. § 118.19 (3) (a)

    in a private school participating in a parental choice program under s. 118.60 or 119.23, or in a private school participating in the program under s. 115.7915

    Establishes that teachers in choice programs must have a bachelor's degree and follow state educational training requirements.

  • Wis. Stat. § 118.19 (3) (b)

    or the governing body of a private school participating in the program under s. 115.7915

    Allows the governing body of private choice schools to assign teachers only under specific certifications.

  • Wis. Stat. § 118.19 (10) (b) 1.

    for a faculty member seeking to teach in a public high school without a license or permit.

    Clarifies that background checks are required for any faculty member applying to teach without a license.

  • Wis. Stat. § 118.191 (2) (a)

    by the governing body of the private school participating in a parental choice program under s. 118.60 or 119.23, or by the governing body of the private school participating in the program under s. 115.7915

    Allows private choice schools to set curricula for their technical education teachers.

  • Wis. Stat. § 118.191 (2) (b)

    by the governing body of the private school participating in a parental choice program under s. 118.60 or 119.23, or by the governing body of the private school participating in the program under s. 115.7915

    Allows private choice schools to establish curricula for vocational education teachers.

Action History

  1. Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

  2. Representative J. Jacobson added as a cosponsor

  3. Representative Subeck added as a cosponsor

  4. Fiscal estimate received

  5. Read first time and referred to Committee on Education

  6. Introduced by Senators Keyeski, Larson, Carpenter, Hesselbein, Dassler-Alfheim, Ratcliff, Roys and Spreitzer; cosponsored by Representatives Fitzgerald, Sheehan, Neubauer, Anderson, Clancy, DeSmidt, Joers, Johnson, Kirsch, Madison, Miresse, Roe, Sinicki, Tenorio and Udell

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 22 co-sponsors · 109 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (22)

Not signed on (109)

109 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

education
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 604 do?
An Act to amend 115.28 (7) (b), 118.19 (1), 118.19 (1b), 118.19 (1c) (b) (intro.), 118.19 (3) (a), 118.19 (3) (b), 118.19 (10) (b) 1., 118.191 (2) (a), 118.191 (2) (b), 118.191 (2m), 118.191 (3), 118.191 (4), 118.192 (4), 118.60 (2) (a) 6. a., 118.60 (2) (a) 6. b., 119.23 (2) (a) 6. a. and 119.23 (2) (a) 6. b.; to create 115.7915 (2) (i), 118.60 (2) (a) 6m., 118.60 (2) (c) 3., 118.60 (2) (c) 4., 119.23 (2) (a) 6m., 119.23 (2) (c) 3. and 119.23 (2) (c) 4. of the statutes;
Who sponsors SB 604?
SB 604 is sponsored by Fitzgerald, Sheehan, Neubauer, Clancy, DeSmidt, Joers, Kirsch, Madison, Miresse, Roe, Sinicki, Tenorio, Udell, Keyeski, Sarah (Democrat), Larson, Chris (Democrat), Carpenter, Tim (Democrat), Hesselbein, Dianne (Democrat), Dassler-Alfheim, Kristin (Democrat), Ratcliff, Melissa (Democrat), Roys, Kelda (Democrat), Spreitzer, Mark (Democrat), ANDERSON, J, and Johnson, LaTonya (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 604?
This bill has been introduced in the Senate. Introduced October 30, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 604?
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