Healthy Teens Act

Description: Would establish an age-appropriate, medically accurate, comprehensive sex education grant program through the Department of Health.

FPA Position: Young people have a right to information that can protect their health and save their lives. Unfortunately, New York State has no dedicated funding stream for comprehensive sex education in schools, and not all schools and teachers are able to provide this lifesaving information due to the lack of resources. This is particularly concerning considering 60% of New York State adolescents engage in sexual activity before they graduate from high school and rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to be distressingly high. Sex and HIV education programs that discuss not only abstinence, but include relationship skills, self-esteem building and information about condoms and other methods of contraception have been proven to: delay the onset of intercourse; reduce the frequency of intercourse; decrease the number of sexual partners of program participants; and increase condom use or contraceptive use. The Healthy Teens Act (HTA) would establish a competitive grant program open to local school districts, school-based health centers, BOCES and community-based organizations for the implementation of comprehensive, age-appropriate sex education. FPA supports efforts like the HTA to provide NY’s youth with the information they need to keep themselves safe and healthy.  

Assembly	Senate
Bill # A.808
Bill Sponsor: Richard Gottfried
Status: Referred to Health