A comprehensive sex-ed measure sponsored by state Sen. Heather Steans advanced out of the Senate Public Health Committee March 15.
Senate Bill 1619 mandates the teaching of medical and age-appropriate sexual-education material that is based on evidence. Abstinence education will be a large component of this instruction, instructing students that abstinence presents the only “assured method of avoiding unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease and HIV/AIDS.” Contraception methods will also be addressed.
“This legislation is intended to reduce unintended pregnancies as well as sexually transmitted diseases and HIV infection in our teenage population by addressing sexual education from a comprehensive approach,” Steans said in a statement. “By giving our teenagers the tools they need to make wise, informed decisions about their health, we are laying the groundwork for these teens to lead healthy adult lives.”