Senate bill 86 was introduced into the Wisconsin Legislature in February with twenty-six bipartisan sponsors. This bill would require that employers (with over 50 employees) allow employees to take up to 16 hours of their unpaid leave time each year for school activities (parent-teacher conferences, classroom volunteering, etc.). Employees can substitute portions of this leave with any other paid or unpaid leave provided by their employers.

The bill also specifically mentions early childhood education. The 16 hours of leave time can be used to observe and/or monitor a child’s early care facility. The definition of school includes licensed child care facilities, certified child care providers, private or public preschool and pre-k programs, and early education that is contracted by a school board. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Children and Families and Workforce Development. You can read the full text here.