Wisconsin Sex Education Bill Signed

Governor Jim Doyle signed a bill on February 24, 2010, regarding sex education classes in Wisconsin.  Public schools in Wisconsin will be compelled to teach students about birth control and sexually transmitted diseases.  Abstinence only programs offered by some Wisconsin high schools will no longer be allowed.  The argument is that abstinence only programs cause high rates of teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.  The vote on the bill was along party lines.  Commencing with the September 2010 school year, sex education courses will have to include information on how to use condoms and other forms of birth control, describing their benefits and side effects.  Sex education programs will be required to tell students how to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.  Parents will be able to remove their children from sex education classes.  Schools will be allowed to decide not to have a sex education program.  See:  http://www.examiner.com/x-17320-Sex-Education-Examiner~y2010m2d25-Wisconsin-Governor-Jim-Doyle-signs-Healthy-Youth-Act-comprehensive-sex-education-measure-into-law