Six Suring students were strip-searched last year. Lawmakers want to make that illegal.
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OCONTO ― Three Republican lawmakers are trying to ban strip searches in schools after the former Suring School District Superintendent, Kelly Casper, told six female students to remove clothing down to their underwear during a search for vaping devices in January 2022.
The bill ― co-authored by state Rep. Elijah Behnke, of Oconto, Rep. David Steffen of Howard and Green Bay Sen. Eric Wimberger ― seeks to expand the definition of a "strip search" to include having students take off their clothing down to their underwear.
More:Suring superintendent resigns six months after controversial strip searches of students
Under current law, it's a Class B misdemeanor for a school district official or employee in a public, private, parochial or private school to strip search a student where the student has to be naked. The law stops short of preventing students from having to strip down to their underwear for a search. It would not change the definition of a strip search for law enforcement.
“This is a common-sense bill that will help protect every student’s dignity while in school,” Behnke said in a statement. “I look forward to getting it passed through the legislature and signed into law.”
Casper's actions led to her resignation in June, and that same month, a judge dismissed the six counts of false imprisonment against her, finding insufficient evidence for those charges.
More:Judge dismisses charges against Suring School District superintendent over strip search of students
More:Here's what we know about the Suring School District furor over strip-searching of students
"The allegations surrounding this incident are a clear violation of basic privacy expectations, andthe fact that this involves minors is even more concerning," said Steffen in a statement. "We have joinedwith parents in demanding that these types of strip searches performed by teachers or school staffnever happen again in Wisconsin."
The three lawmakers previously held a press conference in July announcing that they would later introduce the bill to the state Legislature, according to Steffen's office. The bill was officially introduced Monday, seeking co-sponsorships.
The bill will then be introduced to a legislative committee for a public hearing.
Danielle DuClos is a Report for America corps member who covers K-12 education for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at dduclos@gannett.com. Follow on Twitter @danielle_duclos. You can directly support her work with a tax-deductible donation at GreenBayPressGazette.com/RFA or by check made out to The GroundTruth Project with subject line Report for America Green Bay Press Gazette Campaign. Address: The GroundTruth Project, Lockbox Services, 9450 SW Gemini Dr, PMB 46837, Beaverton, Oregon 97008-7105.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Lawmakers introduce legislation to ban strip searches in schools.
