Washington State House Health Care and Wellness Committee Approves Healthy Youth Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2007 OLYMPIA, WA – Today Washington’s House Committee on Health Care & Wellness approved the Healthy Youth Act (HB 1855) with 8 members in favor (Cody D-34; Morrell D-25; Barlow D-6; Green D-28; Moeller D-49; Pedersen D-43; Schual-Berke D-33; Seaquist D-26), 4 members opposed (Hinkle R-13; Alexander R-20; Campbell R-2; Condotta R-12) and 1 member excused (Curtis R-18). The bill creates standards for sex education; requiring public schools that teach sexual health provide medically accurate information and conform to guidelines developed by the Washington State Dept. of Health and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Healthy Youth Act will now be sent to the House Rules Committee. “NARAL Pro-Choice Washington is a strong advocate for real, accurate sex education, which helps teens avoid unwanted pregnancy and can reduce the need for abortion,” said Karen Cooper, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington. “While we may hope that teens choose abstinence in high school, most people will have sex at some point in their lives and reliable information about contraception and sexual health allows people to plan their families throughout their lives.” “We have been hearing from parents across the state who are outraged by the misinformation being taught in their kids’ sex education classes,” Cooper said. “We are pleased with this first step, however, NARAL Pro-Choice Washington will continue to mobilize our members statewide in support of this legislation until it is signed by the Governor,” she added. ###
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