Senate
Finance Committee Votes to Fund Comprehensive Sex Education
Failed Title V Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage
Funding Also Restored
On September 29, the Senate Finance Committee
approved an amendment offered by Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT)
to fund a comprehensive sex education funding stream; providing
$75 million for states; $50 million of which would be geared
to evidence-based, medically accurate, age-appropriate programs.
There was also a vote on an amendment introduced by Senator
Orrin Hatch (R-UT) that reinstated funding for the Title V
abstinence-only-until-marriage program which had expired on
June 30, 2009. This amendment would direct $50 million a year
through FY 2014 for the extension of the Title V abstinence-only
programs.
Both amendments still face several potential hurdles in committee,
on the Senate floor, and in conference with the House before
they become law.
Based on over 15 years of research, the evidence shows that
comprehensive sexuality education programs for youth that
encourage abstinence, promote appropriate condom use, and
teach sexual communication skills reduce HIV-risk behavior
and also delay the onset of sexual intercourse.
APA recommends that programs to prevent HIV and sexually
transmitted diseases among youth should provide clear definitions
of the behaviors targeted for change; only those programs
whose efficacy and effectiveness have been well-established
through sound scientific methods should be supported for widespread
implementation; and new programs to prevent HIV and sexually
transmitted diseases among youth should be tested against
those programs with proven effectiveness.
APA
Resolution on Sexuality Education
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