New State Legislation

Historically, the State Office and most technical colleges have used social security numbers as identification numbers for individuals served by the district. With the enactment of 1997 Wisconsin Act 128, such practice by a technical college district will no longer be allowed, beginning January 1, 2000. Specifically, the Act creates in the statutes affecting the Technical College System (chapter 38) the following section:

STATE STATUTE 38.14 (14) STUDENT IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS. The district board may assign to each student enrolled in the district a unique identification number. The district board shall not assign to any student an identification number that is identical or incorporates the student's social security number. This subsection does not prohibit a district board from requiring a student to disclose his or her social security number, nor from using a student's social security number if such use is required by a federal or state agency or private organization in order for the district board or the student to participate in a particular program.

Act 128 also created identical provisions affecting the University of Wisconsin System, and K-12 public and private schools. (See, 36.11 (35), and 118.169, Wis. Stats., respectively.)