Educators warned re: new sex-ed law

April 13, 2010 by Anonymous

Bill Bumpas - OneNewsNow - 4/13/2010 6:00:00

A Wisconsin law enforcer is warning public school teachers in his county that teaching sex education in accordance to a new state law could lead to criminal prosecution.

In February, Democratic Governor Jim Doyle signed into law legislation requiring public schools across Wisconsin to adopt a "comprehensive" approach to sex education if offering that subject. The new law was backed by Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.

Last month, however, Juneau County District Attorney Scott Southworth took issue with the new law and sent a letter to school districts urging administrators to withdraw from the human growth and development courses altogether, rather than submit to the new mandate from the state requiring children to be taught how properly to use contraception.

In the letter, Southworth explains that if a teacher instructs a child 16 or under how to use contraceptives while knowingly aware the child is engaging in sexual activity with another child, that teacher can be charged under the criminal code with contributing to the delinquent act of a child.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Southworth -- described as a Republican and a Christian evangelical -- denied that he is trying to bolster his conservative credentials for a potential run at higher office. "Listen, there's a real problem with the law," he stated. "I didn't pick the fight. The Legislature dumped it in my lap."

While the county DA is taking heat from some teachers and students for his stance, others in the state are coming to his defense -- including Matt Sande with Pro-life Wisconsin.

"All District Attorney Southworth is doing here is just simply reading the criminal code and warning his school teachers and district administrators that this type of precise instruction on contraceptive use -- which is different from the old law -- could lead to criminal liability for teachers who instruct in that way and also civil liability for the school district itself," says the pro-life spokesman.

Sande is encouraging every district attorney in Wisconsin to follow Southworth's example in examining the new law. "We commend him for his courage [and] his frankness in exposing the consequences of this irresponsible new law," he told AP.

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=969898