Healthy Teens Act Languishes
in NYS Senate
The Healthy Teens Act, which would establish a grant program to fund comprehensive, medically accurate, sex education programs, passed the Senate Health Committee on May 23, 2006 and now moved on to the Senate Finance Committee. New York State Senate failed to pass the Healthy Teens Act before the close of the 2006 legislative session. This was a missed opportunity to help thousands of young people prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
Reina Schiffrin, CEO of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, bemoans Albany's inaction: "Why is this issue so critical? We know that comprehensive sexuality education works. Through our education and training department, PPHP reaches thousands of parents, teens, families, community groups, and professionals every year. Through a diverse array of offerings our educators and trainers give people the accurate information and tools they need to make responsible decisions."
Through "Get the Facts New York," a coalition of concerned individuals and groups advocates for medically accurate, age-appropriate sex education for youth in New York State.