California bill to mandate free condoms at high schools sent to Gavin Newsom’s desk
A contraceptive access bill is headed to California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk.
SB 541 — also known as the Youth Health Equity and Safety Act — would require California public high school and charter schools to provide free condoms to all students starting in the 2024-2025 school year. The bill will also deny retailers from asking for proof of identification when purchasing condoms.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Caroline Menjivar, D-Burbank, as a way to prevent STI’s and provide equitable access to contraceptives. It is a youth-led bill, according to a Essential Access Health news release on Wednesday.
If passed and signed by the governor, the bill would create a state-mandated local program. It would also require schools to provide sexual health information to students and make them aware of the availability of free contraceptives.