State Assembly Approves Real Solution for Teen Pregnancy and STDs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 5, 2007 State Assembly Approves Real Solution for Teen Pregnancy and STDs
Assembly Republicans refuse to support teen pregnancy prevention; Stronger Families for California Act, AB 1511 (Leno), will give parents tools to talk to teens about sex and sexual health SACRAMENTO, California – Amy Everitt, state director of NARAL Pro-Choice California, issued the following statement in response to today’s 43-31 passage of the Stronger Families for California Act, AB 1511 (Leno). The vote was split down party lines with Assembly Republicans refusing to support pregnancy prevention, thus reducing the need for abortion. “We applaud Asm. Mark Leno for his leadership and the State Assembly for uniting behind a commonsense solution for teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Families want the tools to talk with their teens so they can make informed, healthy decisions. And that means fewer teen pregnancies, a lower risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, and stronger families throughout California. “We are disappointed the Republican Caucus has once again put politics before prevention. California just experienced two divisive elections over Props. 73 and 85. The Stronger Families for California Act will give families the tools they want to have important conversations about sex and sexual health early, often and before a crisis situation. Preventing unintended pregnancies is a solution we can all agree on.” Modeled after a highly successful, multicultural pilot program in San Mateo County, the Stronger Families for California Act will establish a statewide public education campaign giving parents the tools to begin conversations with their teens about sex and sexual health. According to the Public Health Institute, the teen birth rate in San Mateo County dropped 27% in the years following the pilot program. The Stronger Families for California Act is sponsored by NARAL Pro-Choice California and California Latinas for Reproductive Justice. Asm. Mark Leno and representatives from the sponsoring organizations are available for comment. NARAL Pro-Choice California, which includes more than 150,000 member activists, is the political leader of the pro-choice movement. The group works daily to elect pro-choice candidates, promote pro-choice policy, and mobilize pro-choice voters. Contact: Tamara Murray, 415.890.1020
| 
