ProgressOhio

Thanks to a decade of misinformation masquerading as sex education, teens are having the same amount of sex, using contraception less, and getting pregnant more.

We're reaping what we've sowed. A 2002 study found that one-third of U.S. teenagers hadn't received any formal instruction about contraception. For those who did learn about contraception - it was all scare tactics. In Me, My World, My Future - a textbook used in public schools across the country - students are told that "relying on condoms is like playing Russian roulette." A Case Western Reserve University study found that Ohio students have been taught that the birth control pill increases young women's chances of infertility later in life.

So, the "Act for Our Children's Future" focuses on the prevention of unintended pregnancies and STIs through comprehensive sex education for teens, including abstinence.

The Act for Our Children’s Future (HB 316) has been scheduled for its PROPONENT testimony in the House Education Committee Tuesday, February 9!

Now we need to make sure the committee members know how dedicated we are and how much support this bill has through packing that room with our supporters. We must show our strength and support in numbers!!

Please join us at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus tomorrow - we will be meeting at PPCO at 1:30 to hand out buttons and walk over to the Statehouse together!

Please know that due to the nature of these hearings it could be some waiting- you never know what is going to come up, so flexibility is appreciated, bring some reading material and wear layers. We will have buttons for you to wear so that the committee can identify us.

OR
If you don't live near Columbus or can't make it there will be phonebanks in Northeast and Southwest Ohio from 5-8PM to have supporters call their legislators.

AND/OR
If you cannot do either I do need volunteers to write letters to the editor. Let me know if you can put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard) and help us educate your community on this important bill. I will give you tips and talking points.

Email advocacy@ppcoh.org to let me know how you can join our efforts!

The Act for Our Children’s Future (HB 316)

Healthy, responsible actions grow out of a healthy environment and education.

This legislation will stress the value of abstinence, but will also include medically-accurate sex education so that our young people will have the information necessary to make wise decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health and to defend themselves against unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

If a school district offers any sexual health education programming, then it must be comprehensive, age-appropriate, medically-accurate, and abstinence-inclusive.

• “Venereal disease” education is changed to “sexually transmitted infection prevention” education (Lines 40-42; 45)

• Instruction shall be abstinence-inclusive, but not abstinence-only. (46-50)

• Defines the terms “age-appropriate," “comprehensive sexual health education,” "HIV/AIDS prevention education," "instructors trained in the appropriate courses," and “medically and scientifically accurate." (148-172)

• Clarifies that any school district or educational service center may offer comprehensive sexual health education that is comprehensive, medically-accurate, age appropriate, and abstinence-inclusive, providing ways to prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, but may no longer be abstinence-only.  (173-217)

• If age-appropriate, the instruction and materials will also provide pupils with skills for negotiating intimate relationships, include a discussion of the possible consequences of preadolescent and adolescent sexual and unintended pregnancy, and to recognize, not make, and reject unwanted physical and verbal sexual advances.  (218-234)

• Comprehensive sexual health education shall not include any instruction or materials that teach or promote religious doctrine.  (235-237)

• Outside speakers or prepared curricula may be used to teach comprehensive sex education  (238-242)

• Each pupil shall receive medically-accurate HIV/AIDS prevention education at least once in grades seven through nine, and at least once in grades ten through twelve.  (243-289)

• School districts and educational service centers shall consult with ODE regarding in-service training for all school district personnel who provide comprehensive sexual health education or HIV/AIDS prevention education.  The in-service training can be provided by outside consultants with expertise in comprehensive sexual health education and HIV/AIDS prevention education.  (209-309)

• Parents/guardians will be notified about the instruction in comprehensive sex education and HIV/AIDS prevention education and will have the right to opt their child out of such instruction.  The pupil will be provided with an alternative educational activity.  (310-345)

• No school district or educational service center may offer abstinence-only instruction  (349-359)

• The purposes of the Act for Our Children's Future are to (1) provide pupils with knowledge and skills necessary to protect their sexual and reproductive health from unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections and (2) encourage pupils to develop responsible decision-making skills as well as healthy attitudes and values about adolescent growth and development, body image, gender roles, sexual orientation, and healthy relationships.   (649-656)