Giving UW Discretion on Felons

As promised....Attaboy!

Petrowski Bill Would Give UW Discretion on Felons
Legislator aims to help colleges maintain safe campuses

MADISON... State Representative Jerry Petrowski (Marathon) has drafted a legislative proposal that would aid common sense employment decisions in state colleges.

“Last week’s Legislative Audit Bureau letter found 40 felons under employment at University of Wisconsin campuses. When parents watch their children go off to college, they shouldn’t have to worry about the possible dangerous people working there.” Petrowski noted.

This draft specifies that refusal by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, the Technical College System Board, or a technical college district board to employ or to terminate from employment an individual who has been convicted of a felony is not employment discrimination.

“The UW System has expressed a willingness to work with the legislature to protect our children. This bill would give them the tools they need to ensure the students’ safety.” Petrowski said.

This legislation does not automatically prohibit these individuals from obtaining a job, it only allows the UW and Tech colleges the option to consider their troubled past without penalty under the Fair Employment Act.

This new draft mirrors a similar Petrowski bill (Assembly Bill 284) allowing public schools to refuse to employ, or to terminate, an unpardoned felon. Assembly Bill 284 passed the Assembly in late February with nearly two-thirds of the vote.