MADISON, WI…Legislation authored by Senator André Jacque (New Franken) to expand statewide instruction about adoption passed the Senate on a voice vote, and now moves to the governor’s desk.
School districts in Wisconsin are not required to provide human growth and development instruction to students in K-12. When a school district elects to offer such classes, state law establishes certain content standards so that students receive accurate and meaningful information. Instruction on adoption is recommended but not required. Under Assembly Bill 918, school districts would be required to provide age-appropriate instruction on adoption, as they must already do for Wisconsin’s Safe Haven for Newborns option.
“Providing instruction on adoption will give students a greater understanding of the full range of supports and options available to both parents and children in Wisconsin,” said Jacque. “This legislation will help equip students with critical information about options available if they are someday faced with an unexpected pregnancy, and will hopefully generate an openness about considering adoption themselves down the road.”
AB 918 passed the Assembly on a voice vote in February. Representative Rob Summerfield (Bloomer) is the lead author in the Assembly.
Senator André Jacque represents Northeast Wisconsin’s First Senate District, consisting of Door and Kewaunee Counties and portions of Brown, Calumet, Manitowoc, and Outagamie counties.
