Keeping stride with a unanimous 1998 U.S. congressional vote that bars students with drug convictions from receiving government financial aid, the Wisconsin Assembly passed a similar measure Wednesday. This marks the first instance in which a state has brought the issue to the local level.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Rob Kreibich, R-Eau Claire, and Sen. Joe Leibham, R-Sheboygan, was passed with bipartisan support and would deny funding to any students charged with the sale or possession of illegal drugs.

According to Chris Ladwig, legislative assistant for Kreibich, the representative co-authored the bill because “he wanted to bring Wisconsin in compliance with federal law.” In addition, Kreibich felt aid should be directed towards students with financial constraints, not law violators, Ladwig said.

“Amid the worst state budget crisis in history, double-digit tuition hikes, dwindling financial aid, and an increasing number of students seeking grants, the chair of the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee, State Representative Rob Kreibich (R-Eau Claire) is wondering why about 30 convicted drug dealers are currently receiving taxpayer funded WHEG grants to attend UW campuses,” a press release from his office stated.

The constituents of the federal and Wisconsin bill mimic each other. A first-time drug felony renders a student ineligible for loans, work assistance, or grants for two years. A second charge permanently cuts off any opportunities for aid.

If, however, a student undergoes a rehabilitation program or if the offense is set aside or nullified, a student can once again qualify for funding.

Unlike the national law, the state bill would not affect those who have been convicted solely on grounds of drug possession.

“The UW System has made curbing drug and alcohol abuse on campuses a priority. UW is spending time, resources, and personnel on the issue … subsidizing the education of convicted drug dealers undermines those efforts,” the press release stated.

Students and lawmakers alike have expressed their disagreement with the bill, saying it could not only disproportionately affect minority and low-income students but would also unfairly stigmatize former violators.

Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, said this bill would discourage students with drug charges from cleaning up their lives and taking a positive step forward. He also said that if a student has paid their debt to society and the law, they should not be further stigmatized.

“It will make it much harder for them to get an education,” he said, adding that the bill “won’t affect many students.”

According to UW System spokesperson Erik Christianson, the UW System is taking a neutral stance on the new measure.

It is estimated that approximately 30 UW System students will fall under the bill’s wing. The bill has affected more than 93,000 students nationwide since former President Bill Clinton enacted the law.

Students applying for financial assistance must include former drug conviction information on federal financial-aid forms.