Hirono, Senate Democrats Unveil Measure To Increase Access To Support At-Risk Hawaii Youth

Press Release

Senators Mazie K. Hirono, Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Al Franken (D-MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today introduced the Youth Access to Sexual Health Services (YASHS) Act, a bill that would create a competitive grant program to expand access to fact-based, community oriented education and support programs that promote sexual health for young people who have been disadvantaged by underlying structural barriers and social inequity.

"Politicized and agenda-driven sex education fails too many at-risk and disadvantaged young people," said Senator Hirono. "Better access to education will translate into better decisions that will help young people improve their health, enhance their futures, and gain confidence that their communities understand, accept, and support them."

Representative Alma Adams (D-NC) and 33 cosponsors introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives.

"Our young people deserve better. We have a responsibility to protect and support the sexual health of our nation's youth. That is why I introduced H.R. 4475 and made it a priority to work with my colleagues in the Senate. By working together, we can ensure that our young people have adequate access to sexual health services that support their lifelong health," said Representative Adams.

The YASHS act would authorize the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary to award competitive grants for programs that expand access to sexual health services for marginalized youth, including young people of color, immigrant youth, LGBTQ youth, youth in foster care, homeless youth, youth in juvenile detention, and others.

These grants would help organizations bridge barriers to information and access--from discrimination, to a lack of knowledgeable providers, a perceived lack of confidentiality, and transportation and other costs. These barriers can contribute to health challenges and disparities, including high rates of sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, unintended pregnancies, and other issues.

The YASHS Act would also ensure that no federal funds are provided for programs that withhold health-promoting or life-saving information about sexuality-related topics, that are inaccurate or ineffective, or are inconsistent with the ethical imperatives of medicine and public health.

Nearly 30 organizations support the YASHS Act, including the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS), the Hawaii Youth Services Network, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH), and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

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