Bill > SB608

This bill addresses sexual health access and education for California youth by implementing several key provisions. First, it requires the State Department of Education to monitor compliance with the California Healthy Youth Act's sexual health education requirements. The bill mandates that public schools serving grades 7-12 cannot prohibit school-based health centers from making condoms internally and externally available to students, and it requires schools to allow condoms to be distributed through various educational and public health programs, such as community organizations, peer health groups, health fairs, and school health center staff. Additionally, the bill prohibits retail establishments from refusing to sell nonprescription contraception to individuals based solely on their age, effectively preventing retailers from requiring identification or denying sales to young people seeking contraception. The legislation is motivated by public health concerns, including high rates of sexually transmitted infections among California youth, with data showing that over half of all STIs in the state occur among people aged 15-24, and that condom use among sexually active teens has declined. By expanding access to condoms and contraception, the bill aims to empower youth to make healthier choices and reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections.

Budget and Finance, Education, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB608