Patrick Snyder, Wisconsin State Representative for 85th District | Facebook
Patrick Snyder, Wisconsin State Representative for 85th District | Facebook
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "requiring child sexual abuse prevention education. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill mandates that starting in the 2026-27 school year, all school boards are required to implement a child sexual abuse prevention instructional program for students from four-year-old kindergarten through 12th grade. The program must include developmentally appropriate, evidence-informed instruction covering topics such as age-appropriate facts about sexual abuse, anatomical terms for body parts, consent, and safe versus unsafe touch. Schools must provide parents with a program outline, timing details, and opt-out options for their child. Parents will also receive information on recognizing, preventing, and reporting child sexual abuse, and how to talk to children about these issues. Parents have the right to exempt their child from the program by submitting a written request.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Jesse L. James (Republican-23rd District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), Representative Bob G. Donovan (Republican-61st District), Representative Joel Kitchens (Republican-1st District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican-19th District), Senator André Jacque (Republican-1st District), and Senator Mark Spreitzer (Democrat-15th District), along eight other co-sponsors.
Patrick Snyder has co-authored or authored another 13 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Snyder graduated from the University of Iowa in 1978 with a BA.
Snyder, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2017 to represent the state's 85th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Dave Heaton.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| AB156 | 04/02/2025 | Requiring child sexual abuse prevention education. (FE) |
| AB141 | 03/17/2025 | Provisional social worker certificates and licenses |
| AB97 | 02/28/2025 | Extension of eligibility under the Medical Assistance program for postpartum women. (FE) |
| AB27 | 02/17/2025 | Expanding veterans benefits to individuals who served in Laos in support of the United States during the Vietnam War |
| AB23 | 02/07/2025 | Establishment of a Palliative Care Council. (FE) |
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