An Act to create 20.255 (3) (cm) and 115.429 of the statutes; Relating to: grants for prospective school social workers, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Summary
AB341 would create a new state grant program administered by the Department of Public Instruction to help pay for the education required to become a licensed school social worker in Wisconsin. The grants would cover costs associated with obtaining the necessary education for licensure, and the program would be funded with $5 million general purpose revenue in each of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years.
Eligibility is limited to individuals who are members of a racial minority group and who either already work for a school board or are enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or accredited graduate program leading to school social worker licensure. The bill also defines “member of a racial minority group” by listing Black Americans, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Hispanics, Asian or Pacific Island origin individuals, and people whose ancestry includes two or more races. DPI would be authorized to adopt rules to implement the program, and the act would take effect after publication or after the 2025 biennial budget act, whichever is later.
Impact
The bill would add a new statutory section, 115.429, and a corresponding appropriation line in the state budget schedule under DPI. In practical terms, it would direct state funds toward workforce development for school social workers, specifically targeting racial minority applicants, and would expand DPI’s administrative responsibilities by requiring it to establish, administer, and potentially regulate the grant program through rulemaking.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded votes, so there is no detailed public debate to gauge support or opposition. The bill’s introduction by a large bipartisan group of legislators suggests at least some broad interest in the proposal, but the bill ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1, indicating it did not advance through the legislative process.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the bill’s race-based eligibility restriction, which limits grants to members of racial minority groups and could raise questions about equity, eligibility design, and constitutional or policy concerns regarding race-conscious state programs. Another possible issue is the size and use of the appropriation—$5 million annually for two years—though no recorded discussion is available to show whether lawmakers objected to the cost, the targeting of funds, or the program’s administration.
Crossfiled
An Act to create 20.255 (3) (cm) and 115.429 of the statutes; Relating to: grants for prospective school social workers, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)