Wisconsin Republicans, Rep. Barb Dittrich and Sen. Andre Jacque, have introduced legislation that would require school boards to implement policies regarding the conditions under which students’ legal names and pronouns can be changed in school records or used by staff. The bill, set to take effect by July 1, 2026, seeks to establish clear guidelines on parental involvement in such decisions.

Under the proposed legislation, school boards must adopt two key policies: one concerning change to official school records and another governing how school staff refer to students in class. A principal would be responsible for initial determinations on requests to change a student’s legal name or pronouns in school records. Approval would require either documentation of a legal name change or an affidavit affirming the change was not for fraudulent purposes. For minors, school boards would be required to make a reasonable attempt to inform parents or guardians and allow them to provide input before a final decision. Parents would also appeal a principal’s denial of a request.

The bill also mandates that school staff follow parental directives when referring to a minor student by a name or pronouns that differ from those assigned at birth. Without written parental consent, staff would be prohibited from using a name or pronoun that does not align with the student’s biological sex. However, the legislation makes an exception for commonly used shortened versions of a student’s legal first or middle name.

“Its intent is not to punish children or eliminate their ‘safe spaces,’” the bill authors wrote in a memo. “Instead, the goal is to ensure transparency and prevent school district employees from withholding or, in some cases, encouraging life-changing decisions regarding a child’s sexuality or gender identity without parental involvement.”

The Arrowhead School District had created a similar policy that this legislation is modeled after. 

Supporters of the bill argue that it reinforces parental rights in education and ensures transparency in school policies regarding gender identity. Critics contend that it could limit a student’s ability to express their identity, particularly in cases where they may not have parental support.

The bill clarifies that it does not override the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law that protects student education records and grants parents certain rights over their child’s information. This means that while schools must follow the new name and pronoun policies, they must also ensure compliance with FERPA regulations, particularly regarding parental access to and control over student records.

 As the bill advances, the measure is likely to spark broader discussions about parental rights, student privacy, and school policies on gender identity across Wisconsin. It is almost certain Gov. Evers will veto the bill.