summary
Introduced
04/02/2025
04/02/2025
In Committee
05/29/2025
05/29/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, this bill requires each school board to provide a child sexual abuse prevention instructional program to pupils in grades four-year-old kindergarten to 12. Under the bill, each school board must include various topics in its child sexual abuse prevention instructional program, including 1) age-appropriated facts about sexual abuse; 2) how to communicate incidents of sexual abuse to trustworthy adults; 3) how to set and respect personal boundaries; and 4) information about giving and receiving consent. Annually before offering the child sexual abuse prevention instructional program to a pupil, the bill requires that each school board provide a pupil[s parent or guardian with information related to the instructional program, including approximately when it will be provided to the pupil, an explanation of how to opt out of the instructional program, an outline of the instructional program for the pupil[s specific grade, and facts and clear explanations related to specific child sexual abuse topics. Lastly, under the bill, a pupil[s parent or guardian may opt the pupil out of the instructional program by filing a written request with the pupil[s teacher or principal. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill requires all school boards in Wisconsin to implement a comprehensive child sexual abuse prevention education program for students from 4-year-old kindergarten through 12th grade, starting in the 2026-27 school year. The program must cover developmentally appropriate topics including age-appropriate facts about sexual abuse, anatomically correct body part terminology, how to say no to unwanted advances, understanding personal boundaries, distinguishing between safe and unsafe touch, learning about consent, identifying trustworthy adults, and communicating about sexual abuse. Before implementing the program, school boards must annually provide parents or guardians with a detailed program outline, notification of when the instruction will occur, and comprehensive information about child sexual abuse prevention, such as adverse childhood experiences, warning signs, reporting methods, and strategies to reduce children's vulnerability. Importantly, the bill includes a parental opt-out provision, allowing parents to exempt their children from the instruction by filing a written request with the school principal or teacher. This legislation aims to equip students with knowledge and skills to recognize, prevent, and report potential sexual abuse, while maintaining parental choice in their children's education about these sensitive topics.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (16)
Elijah Behnke (R)*,
Barbara Dittrich (R)*,
Robert Donovan (R)*,
Rick Gundrum (R)*,
Joel Kitchens (R)*,
Rob Kreibich (R)*,
Clint Moses (R)*,
Jeff Mursau (R)*,
Jerry O'Connor (R)*,
Jim Piwowarczyk (R)*,
Pat Snyder (R)*,
Lisa Subeck (D)*,
Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R),
André Jacque (R),
Jesse James (R),
Mark Spreitzer (D),
Last Action
Referred to committee on Rules (on 05/29/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab156 |
| AB156 ROCP for Committee on Children and Families | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/assembly/children_and_families/1918346.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - AB156: Fiscal Estimate From DPI | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/ab156/ab156_dpi.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB156.pdf |
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