North Carolina Passes Sex Education Bill

Sex Education Bill Passes in North Carolina
The North Carolina House today passed the Healthy Youth Act. The Act will require schools to provide comprehensive sex education for middle school students for the first time in 13 years.

The Reproductive Health and Safety Education curriculum will educate students about scientifically-based and proven information intended protect students against unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, according to a press release by NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina.

The bill must now be signed by Gov. Perdue, who has 10 days to sign it or it will become law.

Sean Kosofsky, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina said in the press release,

"The passage of the Healthy Youth Act marks a huge step forward for improving teens' access to scientifically-accurate, age-appropriate sex education...North Carolinians overwhelmingly support comprehensive sex education and this bill reflects that common-sense value. Abstinence should be included in any sex-education program, but it cannot be abstinence-only. Parents want to provide young people with the truth about contraception and other ways to avoid sexually transmitted disease and prevent unintended pregnancy. We commend the North Carolina legislature for putting teens' health above partisan politics. We look forward to Gov. Perdue signing this landmark legislation."