Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Wisconsin Statutes Corrections (Ch. 301 to 304) § 301.475. Sex offenders to notify schools

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(1) A person who is required to comply with the reporting requirements under s. 301.45(1g) may not be on any school premises, as defined in s. 948.61(1)(c), unless the school district administrator or his or her designee, if the premises are affiliated with a public school, or the governing body of the school, if the premises are affiliated with a private school or charter school, has been notified of the specific date, time, and place of the visit and of the person's status as a registered sex offender.

(2)(a) Except as provided in par. (b), whoever knowingly violates sub. (1) is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 9 months, or both.

(b) Whoever knowingly violates sub. (1) as a 2nd or subsequent offense is guilty of a Class H felony.

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to the following:

(a) A person who is on the school premises to vote if an election is being held that day and the person's polling place is on the school premises.

(b) A person who is on the school premises to attend an event or activity that is not sponsored by the school.

(c) A person whose child is enrolled at the school if the person notifies the school district administrator or his or her designee, if the premises are affiliated with a public school, or the governing body of the school, if the premises are affiliated with a private school or charter school, that he or she is a registered sex offender and that he or she has a child enrolled at the school. The notification must occur as follows:

1. Except as provided in subds. 2., 3., and 4., at the beginning of each academic school year.

2. If the child is not enrolled at the beginning of the academic school year, when the child is first enrolled.

3. If the person is not subject to the reporting requirements under s. 301.45(1g) at the beginning of the academic school year or when the child is first enrolled, when the person first becomes subject to the reporting requirements under s. 301.45(1g).

4. If subd. 1., 2., or 3. does not apply but the person is otherwise subject to the prohibition under sub. (1), when the person becomes subject to the prohibition under sub. (1).

(d) A student who is enrolled at the school if the department, county department, licensed child welfare agency, or other person supervising the student under a dispositional order under s. 938.34, whichever is appropriate, works with the school district administrator or his or her designee, if the premises are affiliated with a public school, or with the governing body of the school, if the premises are affiliated with a private school or charter school, to ensure the safety of the students attending the school with the student.

(3m) Unless sub. (3)(d) applies to a county department, licensed child welfare agency, or other person supervising a student under a dispositional order under s. 938.34, the department shall work with a school district administrator or his or her designee or a governing body of a school, whichever is appropriate, as provided in sub. (3)(d), to ensure that a student who is required to comply with the reporting requirements under s. 301.45(1g) is not prohibited under sub. (1) from being on the premises of the school at which he or she is enrolled and to ensure the safety of the other students attending the school.

(4) The department shall make a reasonable attempt to notify each person required to comply with the reporting requirements under s. 301.45(1g) of the prohibition under sub. (1), but neither the department's failure to make such an attempt nor the department's failure to notify a person of that prohibition is a defense to prosecution under this section.

(5) It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this section that the defendant was traveling directly to the office of the school district administrator or his or her designee, if the premises are affiliated with a public school, or to the governing body of the school, if the premises are affiliated with a private school or charter school, to comply with sub. (1). A defendant who raises this affirmative defense has the burden of proving the defense by a preponderance of the evidence.

(6) The school district administrator or his or her designee, if the premises are affiliated with a public school, or the governing body of the school, if the premises are affiliated with a private school or charter school, is immune from any civil or criminal liability for any good faith act or omission in connection with any notice given under sub. (1).

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Wisconsin Statutes Corrections (Ch. 301 to 304) § 301.475. Sex offenders to notify schools - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/wi/corrections-ch-301-to-304/wi-st-301-475/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard