A measure involving sexual health and kids is creating controversy.
Supporters say it's a law designed to protect 12 to 17 year-olds.
Local Assembly Member Toni Atkins, (D-San Diego) introduced the bill. It passed the California Assembly in May and the State Senate in August.
Assembly Bill 499 would allow minors to receive preventative treatment for sexually transmitted diseases without parental consent, that includes vaccines for girls to combat the HPV virus, which can cause cervical cancer.
Right now, the law only allows minors to receive post-infection treatment of STDs and even abortions without approval from a parent.
“The government cannot stop people from becoming sexually active but the government through the passage of a bill like AB 499 can make sure that those teens are safe and healthy,” said Vince Hall with Planned Parenthood.
Hall said his organization strongly believes parental involvement and consent is ideal.
But it's not always possible. “They might have abusive, alcoholic or drug addicted parents and we want to keep those teens safe as well and that's what this law is designed to do.”
Some religious organizations and family groups oppose the legislation.
Thomas Roberts, an expert in Child and Family Development said he doesn't think children as young as 12 should be making these types of decisions.
“To put this responsibility on a 12 year-old seems very irresponsible," he said. "My belief is that we should have laws that bring parents and children together not create laws that separate them even more."
The bill is now in the hands of Governor Jerry Brown, who has until Oct. 9 to sign it into law or reject it.
No comments:
Post a Comment