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.

This story was originally published September 14, 2023 at 5:00 AM with the headline "California bill to mandate free condoms at high schools sent to Gavin Newsom’s desk."