Texas House Bill HB1694

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to the improvement of women's health by providing certain services and information related to unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

Impact

The bill proposes amendments to existing statutes within the Education Code and Government Code, particularly regarding sexuality education in schools. It mandates that sexuality education materials be medically accurate and advocates abstinence as the primary method for preventing pregnancy and STDs. Under the new guidelines, schools are required to inform parents about the content of sexuality instruction, thereby ensuring transparency and parental involvement in educational choices. The requirement for 'human use reality rates' for teaching contraception and condom use reflects an effort to ensure that students receive practical information about safe sexual practices, however, without compromising the emphasis on abstinence.

Summary

House Bill 1694, known as the Texas Prevention Works Act, aims to enhance women's health by providing essential services and educational information related to unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). One of the primary focuses of the bill is to increase outreach efforts designed to promote participation in state-funded health programs. This includes the effective implementation of measures that align with the cost-saving estimates outlined in the waiver application presented to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, showcasing an intent to encourage more women to access preventive healthcare services. The bill emphasizes the necessity of maintaining or expanding the level of services aimed at reducing unintended pregnancies and STDs, thereby highlighting the significance of public health initiatives.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 1694 include the approach to sexual education and the potential limitation on comprehensive discussions regarding safe sex practices. Critics argue that the focus on abstinence-only education could undermine students' understanding of important health information, while supporters claim that emphasizing abstinence will lead to more responsible behaviors among youth. Furthermore, questions about adequate funding for outreach and educational programs also surface, as lawmakers assess the effectiveness of measures enacted to curb unintended pregnancies and STDs in the state.