Public Policy Updates

11.26.08

Sex Ed Bill Introduced

Senator Teresa Fedor introduced the Act for Our Children’s Future bill (SB 385) on Wednesday, November 26th. This bill would establish standards for comprehensive sexual health education and HIV/AIDS prevention education in public schools. If passed, it will provide students with knowledge and skills necessary to make healthy and responsible decisions that will protect their sexual and reproductive health and reduce unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

This legislation will stress the value of abstinence without ignoring the young people who are already active. A 2007 Quinnipiac University poll found that 71% of Ohio voters felt the best approach to sex education in Ohio’s public schools is to focus equally on abstinence and contraceptive education. This increased to 81% for voters who have school-aged kids.

More details and updates available in the Legislation to Watch section of PPAO’s website.

11.20.08

Northeast Ohio Democrats Advance to Leadership Positions

When the new legislative session convenes in January, Northeast Ohio elected officials will assume key leadership roles. Rep. Armond Budish (D-Beachwood) was selected by Ohio House of Representatives Democrats to be the Speaker of the House. Also from Northeast Ohio, Rep. Jay Goyal (D-Mansfield) will serve as House Majority Whip. In the Ohio Senate, Sen. Caprice Cafaro (D-32nd District) was selected to become Senate Minority Leader. Rep. Budish and Sen. Cafaro are co-sponsors of the Ohio Prevention First Act. All three are pro-choice.

11.19.08

Ohio Prevention First Act Gets a Hearing

After being passed over for three years, the Ohio Prevention First Act (HB 251), received its first hearing in the House Health Committee on Wednesday, November 19th. Rep. Tyrone Yates (D-Cincinnati) and Rep. Jon Peterson (R-Delaware) provided sponsor testimony. More than 12,600 Planned Parenthood signed a petition urging that a hearing on this landmark bill be scheduled. Thousands of additional petition signatures were collected by other coalition members. Planned Parenthood supporters accounted for a clear majority of pro-choice advocates attending the hearing. There were so many pro-choice supporters that many had to listen to the hearing from the adjacent “spillover” room.

The Ohio Prevention First Act would ensure that contraception will be available to those who need it; patients will get their legal prescriptions and over-the-counter medications; sexual assault victims will have access to emergency contraception in ERs; and students will receive the medically-accurate education they need to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

With favorable public opinion about creating effective policies for family health for all Ohioans at an all-time high, we have an opportunity to work in a bi-partisan fashion to reduce unintended pregnancies and educate our children so they can make responsible choices. We look forward to working with our allies to continue advancing the Ohio Prevention First Act.

5.8.08

House Resolution to Encourage STI Prevention Introduced

In light of a recent study released by the Centers for Disease Control and in recognition that April is National STD Awareness Month, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH-11), introduced a bi-partisan resolution urging the House of Representatives to focus greater attention on activities related to the prevention, screening and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STD). The resolution supports the goals of National STD Awareness Month by encouraging the federal government, states, and localities to provide additional funding for screening and treatment services. Rep. Tubbs Jones was joined on resolution H. Res. 1131 by nearly 60 of her colleagues.
 
During her introduction of the resolution, Rep. Tubbs Jones stated, “We can no longer be silent about this issue. The abstinence-only education touted by the Bush Administration is simply not enough. We must be able to talk candidly with our children about the dangers of STDs so that they understand the risks involved with unprotected sex and equip them with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves. 

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More updates available at Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio's website.

Contact our Public Affairs staff by email or call (330) 456-5329 x. 200 to find out what's going on around Northeast Ohio and how you can get involved to make a difference in your community and in the lives of local women.