Require Free Condoms in CA High Schools + Expand Access to the HPV Vaccine

(Sacramento, CA) – SB 541, the Youth Health Equity + Safety (YHES) Act was introduced by Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley) during Condom Awareness Week. This bill seeks to support youth health and well-being, address the sexually transmitted infection (STI) epidemic among California youth, and improve public health outcomes statewide, by expanding teen access to internal and external condoms and the HPV vaccine.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), condoms are an important and effective tool in preventing HIV and other STIs. Statewide data indicates over half of all STIs are experienced among California youth ages 15 – 24 years old. Young people in this age group make up more than 5 out of every 10 chlamydia cases in California, and more than 87% are youth of color.

Senator Caroline Menjivar emphasized the importance of equitable access to STI prevention methods, stating, “By requiring free condoms in all California high schools, we are empowering the youth who decide to become sexually active to protect themselves and their partners from STIs, while also removing barriers that potentially shame them and lead to unsafe sex. Further, requiring the Family

PACT program to cover HPV vaccinations for ages 1218 will decrease instances of patients delaying vaccination or becoming discouraged after being turned away. These programs can instill safe sexual habits among youth, protecting themselves now and into adulthood.”

Over half of teens who participated in a survey conducted by Essential Access Health reported that they do not have access to free condoms in schools. Of teens surveyed, 75% believe it is very important to have condoms in schools, and 25% believe it is important. Research studies have shown that schools with condom availability programs (CAPs) in high schools do not increase sexual activity among teens but do increase condom use.

In California, some schools and school districts already provide free condoms in high schools, but condom accessibility and availability are not widespread. Requiring all high schools in California to provide condoms is part of a statewide strategy to curb rising STI rates and will build upon our state’s leadership and commitment to health equity and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care for all, regardless of zip code, income, age, race, gender or sexual orientation. In 2021, Vermont became the first state to require free condoms in middle and high schools.