Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) is looking for cosponsors for a bill (PDF) that would require school districts that offer sex education to emphasize abstinence as the "preferred choice of behavior for unmarried pupils" and the "only reliable way to prevent pregnancy and avoid sexually transmitted infections."
The bill, which would reverse a recently enacted state law favoring comprehensive sex education, would also require sex education programs to provide instruction on parenting skills and the socioeconomic benefits of marriage.
In a memo (PDF) to colleagues late Friday, Lazich says her bill continues the "theme of increasing flexibility for local school districts" by providing districts with more control in administering the 2009 Healthy Youth Act.
An aide to Lazich said the senator could not be reached for comment until Monday.
Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) and Rep. Tamara Grigsby (D-Milwaukee), co-authors of the Healthy Youth Act, could also not be reached.
The Healthy Youth Act, which was signed by Gov. Jim Doyle after a hard-fought battle in the Legislature, requires school districts that offer sex education to offer comprehensive and medically accurate instruction at age-appropriate times. The Act was vehemently opposed by social conservatives in Wisconsin.
Lazich's bill, according to an analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau, would, among other things, eliminate the law's requirement to teach about the benefits, side effects and proper use of birth control. It would also remove the requirement to teach about gender stereotypes, body image and puberty.
It would require instruction on adoption, childbirth and bullying prevention.