AB 1234

Under current law and this bill, a school board may offer an instructional program in human growth and development (instructional program) in grades kindergarten to 12. Current law recommends, but does not require, that a school board include certain instructional topics in the instructional program. Under the bill, a school board that offers an instructional program must include certain topics in the instructional program. The required topics are based on the requirements created in

2009 Wisconsin Act 134

, known as the Healthy Youth Act.

Under the bill, the instructional program must present medically accurate information to pupils and must, among other things, address the following topics when age-appropriate:

1. The importance of communication between the pupil and the pupil’s family members about sexuality and decision-making about sexual behavior.

2. Reproductive and sexual anatomy and physiology, including biological, psychosocial, and emotional changes that accompany maturation.

3. Puberty, pregnancy, parenting, body image, and gender stereotypes.

4. The skills needed to make responsible decisions about sexuality and sexual behavior throughout the pupil’s life, including the ability to recognize and unlearn behaviors that include inappropriate verbal, physical, and sexual advances, how to use nonviolent communication and deescalate conflict, and how to identify and report conduct to a trusted adult.

5. The benefits of and reasons for abstaining from sexual activity.

6. The health benefits, side effects, and proper use of contraceptives and barrier methods to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

7. Methods for developing healthy life skills, including setting goals, making responsible decisions, communicating, and managing stress.

8. How alcohol and drug use affect responsible decision-making.

9. The impact of media and one’s peers on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to sexuality.

10. Sexual orientation, including romantic and sexual attraction.

11. Parental responsibility.

12. Online safety, digital literacy, and health literacy.

13. The criminal penalties for engaging in sex.

Under current law, the state superintendent of public instruction may apply for federal funds allocated for providing instruction in any of the topics recommended under current law to be included in a human growth and development instructional program. The bill modifies that authority by authorizing the state superintendent to apply for federal funds allocated for evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs that meet criteria for program effectiveness.

Finally, the bill allows a volunteer health care provider to provide instruction in human growth and development if the instructional program complies with the requirements above. Under current law, a “volunteer health care provider” is an individual who meets certain licensing requirements and who, while receiving no income, provides certain health care services free of charge to pupils from four-year-old kindergarten to grade six at a public school or private school participating in a parental choice program. Current law explicitly prohibits a volunteer health care provider from providing that instruction.