The Minnesota House Education Policy Committee heard HF 1414, a bill that requires Minnesota schools to teach medically-accurate, age-appropriate, comprehensive sex education. Currently, Minnesota has no statewide standard for sex education in schools. Because of this, students across the state receive inconsistent information about healthy relationships and sexual and reproductive health, while others get no information at all.
Planned Parenthood strongly supports HF 1414 and believes that all students should have the information they need to make smart decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.
Statement from Sarah Stoesz, President of the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund:
“Young people are our state’s most valuable resource and they deserve medically-accurate, age-appropriate information about their health and bodies. Comprehensive sex ed is not just about preventing pregnancy and STDs--these programs also equip young people with knowledge and communication skills for healthy, consensual relationships throughout their lives.”
“We are long overdue in fulfilling our obligation to provide all students with comprehensive sex education and we thank the Minnesota House for advancing this crucial public health legislation.”
Planned Parenthood’s Education and Outreach Program
Planned Parenthood is the largest provider of comprehensive sex education in Minnesota, reaching more than 44,000 people across the state. Planned Parenthood is committed to providing sex education that is nonjudgmental, medically-accurate, age-appropriate and culturally responsive. Trained educators throughout Minnesota teach evidence-based sex education to youth and adults in their communities. Importantly, these educators are members of the communities they are educating.
All of Planned Parenthood's evidence-based programming includes information on:
- Abstinence (how to say no)
- Communication skills
- STDs and HIV information and prevention
- Condoms and other contraception
- Identity
- Consent
Why do we need comprehensive sex education?
Research shows that the majority of adolescents don’t have the information they need to make responsible decisions about sex, leaving them vulnerable to coercion, STDs and unintended pregnancy. Additionally, in Minnesota, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are at historic highs, especially among people ages 15-24, and chronic health disparities–-by geography, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, and gender identity—persist.
Comprehensive sex education leads to healthy outcomes.
Studies show that teens who receive comprehensive sex education are 50% less likely to experience pregnancy than those who received abstinence-only programs. Studies have demonstrated that CSE programs help young people delay the onset of sexual activity and use contraception and protection when they do become sexually active. It also helps young people reduce risky behaviors that can lead to STDs and unintended pregnancy. Importantly, evidence shows youth who receive CSE are not more likely to become sexually active or experience negative sexual health outcomes.
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Founded in 1992, the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization. As the advocacy and electoral arm of PPMNS, we mobilize supporters of all parties to defend and increase access to family planning services and fact based, medically accurate sexuality education. We work to inspire and engage citizens to take up the cause of reproductive health and rights through education, electoral activity, grassroots organizing and legislative advocacy.
Visit us on the web at www.plannedparenthoodadvocate.org
Tags: Sex Ed