An Act to create 118.1255 of the statutes; Relating to: school board policies related to changing a pupilâs legal name and pronouns.
Summary
AB103 would require every Wisconsin school board, by July 1, 2026, to adopt two related policies governing how a pupil’s legal name and pronouns are handled in school records and in day-to-day school staff interactions. One policy would set the conditions for changing a student’s legal name or pronouns in official school records. The other would govern when school employees may regularly use a name or pronouns other than those associated with the student’s legal name or sex assigned at birth, with special rules for minor pupils.
For school records, the bill generally requires that a student remain listed under the legal name and pronouns on file unless a legal name-change document is provided or, in limited cases, an affidavit is submitted. For minors, the bill requires a reasonable attempt to notify parents or legal guardians who have access to the records and gives them an opportunity to provide information before a decision is made. It also requires an appeal process to the school board if a request is denied. For staff usage, the bill says a minor pupil’s parent or legal guardian determines what names and pronouns school staff may use, and it prohibits staff from using names or pronouns that do not align with the pupil’s biological sex without written parental authorization, while allowing shortened versions of a legal first or middle name without written permission.
Impact
The bill would create new section 118.1255 of the Wisconsin statutes and impose mandatory policy-adoption duties on school boards statewide. It would affect district recordkeeping, administrative procedures, parental notification practices, and staff conduct in relation to student names and pronouns. The bill also explicitly preserves rights under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), signaling that the new state requirements are intended to operate alongside federal student-records protections rather than override them.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill was supported by a majority in both chambers, passing the Assembly 50-43 and the Senate 18-15. That pattern indicates a closely divided but ultimately favorable legislative reception, with support concentrated among Republican sponsors and allies and opposition from most Democrats. The bill’s later failure to override the Governor’s objections shows that, despite legislative approval, it remained politically contentious at the executive level.
Contention
The main points of contention are the bill’s treatment of transgender and gender-nonconforming students, parental authority, and school privacy. Supporters appear to favor greater parental control over how minors are addressed at school and more formal procedures for changing records. Opponents are likely to object that the bill restricts students’ ability to use affirmed names and pronouns, may out transgender students to parents or guardians, and could create conflicts with student privacy and school inclusion policies. The requirement that staff use only biologically aligned pronouns absent written parental authorization is especially likely to be controversial.
Creating an Office of Civil Legal Aid to be overseen by a Civil Legal Aid Board, providing a right to the appointment of counsel at state expense for residential tenants in eviction actions, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Creating an Office of Civil Legal Aid to be overseen by a Civil Legal Aid Board, providing a right to the appointment of counsel at state expense for residential tenants in eviction actions, and making an appropriation. (FE)