Vetoed by Governor Tony Evers

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits schools from using a students' preferred name and pronouns without parental approval in Wisconsin.

Highlights:

• Requires each school board to adopt a policy by July 1, 2026 specifying the conditions under which the school board will (Sec. 1):

• Change a pupil’s legal name and pronouns in official school records; and

• Allow school staff to regularly use a name or pronouns other than those provided at the time the pupil enrolls.

• Requires a school board to include at least all of the following in a policy adopted (Sec. 1):

• That the initial determination must be made by the principal of the school the pupil attends;

• That the principal may only approve the change if documentation proving or an affidavit stating that the pupil legally changed their name is provided;

• That, for a minor pupil, the school board must make a reasonable attempt to allow each of the pupil’s parents or guardians to provide information in favor or against the change; and

• A process to appeal a principal’s decision to deny a request.

• Requires a school board’s name and pronoun usage policy to additionally (Sec. 1):

• State that a minor pupil’s parent or legal guardian determines the names and pronouns that school staff are allowed to use during school hours; and

• Prohibit school staff from referring to a minor pupil by a name or pronoun that does not align with their biological sex without written authorization from a parent or guardian.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits schools from using a students' preferred name and pronouns without parental approval in Wisconsin.

Highlights:

• Requires each school board to adopt a policy by July 1, 2026 specifying the conditions under which the school board will (Sec. 1):

• Change a pupil’s legal name and pronouns in official school records; and

• Allow school staff to regularly use a name or pronouns other than those provided at the time the pupil enrolls.

• Requires a school board to include at least all of the following in a policy adopted (Sec. 1):

• That the initial determination must be made by the principal of the school the pupil attends;

• That the principal may only approve the change if documentation proving or an affidavit stating that the pupil legally changed their name is provided;

• That, for a minor pupil, the school board must make a reasonable attempt to allow each of the pupil’s parents or guardians to provide information in favor or against the change; and

• A process to appeal a principal’s decision to deny a request.

• Requires a school board’s name and pronoun usage policy to additionally (Sec. 1):

• State that a minor pupil’s parent or legal guardian determines the names and pronouns that school staff are allowed to use during school hours; and

• Prohibit school staff from referring to a minor pupil by a name or pronoun that does not align with their biological sex without written authorization from a parent or guardian.

Full Bill Text