0
Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2023
3/11/2024, 7:24 PM
Summary of Bill S 1697
The bill outlines several key provisions, including the requirement that all sexual education programs funded by the federal government must be medically accurate and age-appropriate. It also emphasizes the importance of teaching young people about consent, healthy relationships, and the importance of communication in sexual decision-making.
Additionally, the bill seeks to ensure that sexual education programs are inclusive and culturally competent, taking into account the diverse backgrounds and experiences of young people across the country. It also aims to provide resources and support for educators to effectively implement these programs in schools and other community settings. Overall, the Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2023 is focused on promoting the health and well-being of young people by providing them with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health. It is currently being debated in Congress, with supporters arguing that it is a crucial step towards reducing rates of unintended pregnancies and STIs among young people.
Congressional Summary of S 1697
Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2023
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish grants to support sex education and sexual health services for young people (ages 10 through 29) and repeals requirements that apply to certain federally funded sex education programs.
HHS must award grants, in coordination with the Department of Education, to (1) provide sex education to young people; and (2) train education professionals to effectively teach, and otherwise support, sex education. Sex education refers to high quality teaching and learning that
- follows, to the maximum extent practicable, specified educational standards;
- covers a variety of topics concerning sex and sexuality;
- explores values and beliefs about those topics; and
- helps young people gain skills to navigate relationships and manage sexual health.
Additionally, HHS must award grants to youth-serving organizations and health care entities that are eligible to receive covered outpatient drugs at reduced prices through the 340B drug discount program for providing sexual health services to marginalized youth.
Recipients of any of these grants must comply with certain nondiscrimination requirements. In addition, they may not use funds for sex education programs or sexual health services that provide incomplete or inaccurate medical information or fail to address specified issues.
The bill also eliminates prohibitions regarding the content of specified federally funded sexual health education and information programs and repeals the Abstinence Only Until Marriage program.
