Booker, Hirono Introduce the Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) introduced the Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act (REAHYA), legislation to authorize federal grants for comprehensive sex education programs and youth sexual health services, and end funding for harmful Title V abstinence-only programs. U.S. Representatives Alma Adams (D-NC-12) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07) will introduce companion legislation in the House.

Despite growing needs, young people across the country still lack access to comprehensive, evidence-based sex education and sexual health services. REAHYA aims to change that by creating federal grants that would fund programs at high schools, colleges, and organizations to support the sexual health and agency of students and young people. This legislation would also require program grantees to promote gender equity and offer instruction that is inclusive of young people with varying gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations.

"Young people need access to comprehensive sex education and sexual health services in order to make informed, responsible, and healthy decisions," said Senator Booker. "Too many young adults are still receiving outdated and inaccurate information when it comes to making decisions about their sexual health, especially in underserved communities. This legislation aims to ensure sex education and sexual health programs are accessible and inclusive to everyone."

"For too long, young people in our country have faced barriers to comprehensive, evidence-informed sex education and access to sexual health services, especially in underserved communities," said Senator Hirono. "I am proud to reintroduce this legislation to help provide young people with the tools and knowledge they need to make informed decisions regarding their sexual health and to help them develop healthy relationships, while also promoting gender equity and offering education that is inclusive to people of all identities, expressions, and sexual orientations."

"For too long, our country's sex education and sexual health resources have not met the needs of our young people, especially in underserved communities," said Congresswoman Adams. "The Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act will arm our youth with the information and resources they need to make informed decisions on their bodies and their futures. Together we can work to reduce health disparities in our underserved communities and build a healthier future for generations to come."

"As the Trump administration continues to attack our reproductive rights and bodily autonomy and restricting access to scientifically accurate health information, this legislation is critical to protect and enhance young people's access to comprehensive, culturally responsive, and equitable sex education," said Congresswoman Jayapal. "REAHYA will equip young people with the necessary tools to make informed decisions about their relationships, sexual health, and overall well-being. This is an important step toward addressing disparities related to race, gender, and sexuality in current sex education programs, while also working to reduce rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections."

Specifically, REAHYA would:

1. Authorize funding for sex education programs at elementary and secondary schools, youth-serving organizations, and institutions of higher education;
2. Ensure these programs are age-appropriate, medically accurate, and evidence-based;
3. Provide grants for sex education teacher training;
4. Establish grants for youth-serving organizations or health entities to deliver sexual health services for underserved youth; and
5. Repeal the Title V Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Program.

The Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act is endorsed by the following organizations: SiX Action, Equality California, Silver State Equality, American Humanist Association, Reproductive Health Access Project, AIDS United, National Council of Jewish Women, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, PWN-USA Ohio, Power to Decide, EducateUS, National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, Ipas US, Ibis Reproductive Health, NASTAD, SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, Physicians for Reproductive Health, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, Healthy Teen Network, Reproductive Freedom for All, The Arc of the United States, ACA Consumer Advocacy, National Partnership for Women & Families, ETR, National Network of Abortion Funds, Center for Biological Diversity, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda, Advocates for Youth, Guttmacher Institute, Vivent Health, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity.

The Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

To read the full text of the bill, click here.