Wis. Assembly Panel Advances Sex Education Bill With Focus on Abstinence
January 20, 2012 — The Wisconsin Assembly's education committee on Wednesday passed a bill that would require that sex education programs in schools stress abstinence, WHBL reports. The bill passed on a party-line vote, with Republicans voting in favor of the measure (WHBL, 1/18).
The legislation would rewrite a law supported by Democrats that the state implemented two years ago. The law permits schools to teach about contraception as part of a multi-faceted approach to sex education.
Republicans said the bill emphasizes the role of local communities in choosing how to teach sex education. Antiabortion-rights groups also support the legislation. The state Senate approved the bill last year despite opposition from various public health groups (AP/Janesville Gazette, 1/19).
The full Assembly could vote on the bill as early as next week (WHBL, 1/18).
The information contained in this publication reflects media coverage of women’s health issues and does not necessarily reflect the views of the National Partnership for Women & Families.
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Debra Ness, publisher & president, National Partnership
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Marya Torrez, associate editor & senior reproductive health policy counsel, National Partnership
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