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Bill

SB 673

Relating to: school board policies on appropriate communication with pupils. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Howard Marklein and 2 co-sponsors

Wisconsin bill requiring school boards to adopt policies controlling staff-student communication on sensitive topics, likely including parental notification requirements.

Presented to the Governor on 3-5-2026
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Bill Summary · SB 673

Legislative bill overview

SB 673 requires Wisconsin school boards to establish policies governing how school staff communicate with students, particularly regarding sensitive topics. The bill appears focused on ensuring parental notification and involvement when staff discuss certain subjects with pupils, though the specific communication restrictions are not detailed in the provided action summary.

Why is this important

This legislation directly affects parent-child-school relationships and transparency in education. It could impact how teachers address topics like mental health, family structure, gender identity, or other sensitive subjects—areas where parents and educators sometimes have differing views on appropriate messaging to minors.

Potential points of contention

  • Parental rights vs. student autonomy: Mandatory parental notification may prevent students from confidentially discussing sensitive personal issues with trusted school staff, particularly for vulnerable youth
  • Teacher discretion and liability: Vague "appropriate communication" standards could leave educators uncertain about compliance, potentially chilling discussions on legitimate educational topics
  • Definition ambiguity: Without clear parameters on which topics trigger notification requirements, implementation could vary widely across districts or be applied inconsistently to different student populations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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