New York: Sex Ed Grant Proposed; Program Would Fund More Than Classes on Abstinence

New York, which last year spent more than $7.5 million in federal and state money for school abstinence programs, currently has no funding streams for sex education that includes more than abstinence. The Healthy Teens Act aims to address this by creating a fund for "age appropriate, medically accurate" comprehensive sex education. The bill passed the Assembly in April by a 127-15 vote and now awaits action in the Senate Health Committee.

To receive the funds, school districts and community organizations would be required to submit proposals. Though the bill does not allocate any money for the program, it does put a funding mechanism in place. Sponsors of the bill say they will negotiate funding if it becomes law.

Assembly member and bill sponsor Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan) said the "staggering" number of teenage pregnancies in the state is an indication that teens need more than just abstinence-only sex education. "As a parent and a grandparent, I believe the Healthy Teens Act will help New York's teens make the right decisions about their sexual activity," he said.

"Abstinence-only education does in fact delay kids engaging in sexual activity," said Betty DeFazio, external director of Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/Syracuse Region. "But when they become sexually active they engage in risky behavior that can put their future health at risk."

Brian Kolb (R-Canandaigua), one of 15 Assembly members who voted against the measure, said he objected to elementary schools being able to apply for sex education grants under the program. Jeff Brown (R-Manlius) also voted against the bill. "I was concerned that the legislation allows school districts virtually complete discretion to develop any type of sex education, even elementary schools," said Brown. "I think there should be some types of guidelines as to what could be taught at various grades, including [to] our youngest children," he added.

Back to other news for May 11, 2006