CA SB 541 Requires Public High Schools to Give Out Free Contraception
Chris Melkonian finally figures it out.
According to the CA SB 541 bill, by the 2024-2025 school year, the state of California will require all public high schools to give out free condoms and teach students how to properly stay safe.
It all started with the California Healthy Youth Act, which made it possible for kids from 7-12 grade have the,“knowledge and skills to protect their sexual and reproductive health.” Now that this bill has passed, it is causing many things to change for the better.
This bill will also allow students under the age of 18 to be able to receive the HPV shot; another impacting move if students cannot easily access that type of care and protection.
GV Student, Vladimir Lemus added, “I feel ashamed having to ask, plus in some places they keep them locked up!” The fact that teens feel embarrassed about going out and asking, or even feeling ashamed by adults about getting contraception is unethical. Thanks to this bill, it will remove that shame of face-to-face confrontation just to get condoms.
Another GV student, David King, claimed that they had read about it in an ‘article of the week’ in their English class and was surprised to find out that it had passed.
When it comes to Golden Valley specifically, it is almost guaranteed that anyone thinking about having a child or going to school will have the tools to make themselves safe from harmful things that will change their educational career. Student Sam Hurtado, pointed out that, “any access to protection in sexual activities is always going to help prevent STDs and pregnancies. It just helps with everything.”
While many parents are against their teens having sexual relations, the hard reality will most likely despite the ideals of their parents. With this bill, it will hopefully reassure all parents that their kids are at least safe despite what decision they may make.
SB 541 will be especially beneficial to GV in ensuring that every student can make smart decisions to stay safe when having sex and to also know how to use contraceptives properly.
In an article found on Planned Parenthood’s Page, they pointed out, “If you’re going to have sex, making it safer is the best way to help avoid getting or passing an STD.” The main goal of the bill, again, is to prevent anything life-threatening from happening, especially to teens.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists regarded that thanks to the Affordable Care Act, there are certain ways to make contraceptives more accessible and cost-effective.
In the end, CA SB 541 will for sure have a positive effect not only in Golden Valley but also in all high schools across California. Teens will finally be able to receive contraceptives and care enough to keep themselves safe and be smart about what they do.
Haylie Celeste Adame is a Managing Editor for Community News, and is a junior here at Golden Valley. Though she doesn't have much experience with campus involvement, she continues to spread positivity while in GV. She is passionate about writing stories on Community News Team because of the huge potential and range of stories that can be written. Also, she is very passionate about learning the reason behind things rather than the topic itself, and finds it very interesting.
To her, being a student journalist is having fun, giving information on serious or interesting topics, and being able to be flexible while being collaborative. This really matters not only because it is a good skill to have but also because it’s something new to be in and experience. She loves baking, her family, and school (sometimes). She has the best boyfriend in the world who she is so crazy about. She is going to be having a little brother in about two months.
Marie Hamilton is one of the two editors-in-chief. This year she’s a senior, and involved in the Red Cross and Bracelets for Cancer Club. She’s also an officer for CSF and a member of National Honor Society.
This year, she hopes to not only write about events going on in our campus, but how these events turned out and ways to improve next time. Marie is very passionate about sharing the good and the bad of every situation, as well as exploring ways to improve as a community. Having a part in this newspaper is very important to her since she has always believed strongly in student spirit and involvement and hopes to help foster that. By making sure students can easily involve themselves, she hopes to help create a positive environment for learning and life.