Doyle Signs Healthy Youth Act

Gov. Jim Doyle has signed a law that will require Wisconsin schools to teach about birth control as part of comprehensive sex education classes.

The law allows school boards to continue deciding whether to offer courses on human development and sex education. But those that do will be required to address the benefits, side effects, and proper use of contraceptives and several other topics.

Doyle says the law is a statement that Wisconsin “isn’t going to put blinders on or plug our ears” when it comes to the difficult topic of teenagers and sexual activity.

He says the law will make sure students are given the medically accurate information they need to make smart decisions. He and other supporters say the goal is to reduce teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.