Bill > H2075

This bill proposes to amend Chapter 111 of the General Laws by adding a new section that establishes a program of community-based health and sexuality education services within the Department of Public Health. This program will be administered by comprehensive family planning agencies, which are defined according to existing law (section 24E). The primary goal of this initiative is to promote healthy behaviors among adolescents and their parents or guardians by offering science-based health information and education. The program will also involve specialized education and outreach to high-risk populations, parents, guardians, and staff of community organizations that serve young people. Key objectives of this specialized outreach include reducing unintended pregnancies, encouraging abstinence to delay adolescent sexual activity, improving parents' ability to discuss healthy sexuality with their children, and decreasing unhealthy risk-taking behaviors across all age groups.