Harman, Shays: Bill to Reduce Teen Pregnancy

Bill Would Fund Sex Education Programs That Are Proven to Work.

Citing the high percentage of American teenagers who are sexually active and more than 820,000 annual teen pregnancies, Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA) and Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT) today introduced the “Responsible Funding to Prevent Teen Pregnancy Act,” a bill intended to help reduce teen pregnancy through common sense, effective sex education programs.

It's time to let rigorous research and best practice models determine how we spend our public health and education dollars, not ideology,” Harman said. “As a mother of four, I know that if we’re serious about preventing teen pregnancy, we must make sure kids receive the information to help them make responsible choices.”

The legislation authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to dispense competitive grants to organizations that implement scientifically evaluated and medically accurate sex-education programs. Groups that receive funds must incorporate programs proven to delay sexual intercourse or sexual activity, increase contraceptive use, or reduce teenage pregnancy.

Whatever one's views on abortion, we all recognize the importance of preventing unintended pregnancies,” Shays said. “When women are unable to control the number and timing of births, they will increasingly rely on abortion. Comprehensive education is a key step in ensuring both men and women are prepared for parenthood.”

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, an organization founded in 1996 to improve the well-being of children, youth and families by reducing teen pregnancies. “Both less sex and better contraceptive use among teens are directly responsible for the extraordinary progress this nation has made in reducing high rates of teen pregnancy,” said Sarah Brown, Director of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. “To continue this momentum, communities nationwide need to know more about effective approaches that strongly encourage teens to delay sex and that highlight the importance of sexually active teens using contraception consistently and carefully.”

Co-sponsors of the measure include Reps. Sherwood Boehlert, Jim Costa, Danny Davis, Bob Filner, Barney Frank, Steve Israel, William Jefferson, Nancy Johnson, Tom Lantos, Rick Larsen, Barbara Lee, Jim McGovern, Nancy Pelosi, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Jan Schakowsky, Louise Slaughter and Lynn Woolsey.

Source: Rep. Harman's office