Vermont Law Is First In The Nation Requiring Condoms In Schools

This is one of those hot-topic debates where almost everyone has an opinion one way or another: Should condoms be made available to school students? Regardless of how you personally feel on the subject, know that big changes are happening.

The New York Post reports that Vermont has become the first state in the nation to pass a law that requires access to condoms in middle and high schools. The law states, in part:

Schools are required to provide information about proper condom use that is inclusive of gender identity, sexuality and ethnicity.

The Vermont law is intended to help prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. According to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, condom access programs in high schools do not increase sexual activity among teens and can increase condom use among sexually active students.

Last month, guidance was released to schools on the new law from the Vermont Agency of Education. According to the guidance, “condoms should be available in locations that are safe and readily accessible for students,” including specific teachers, athletic trainers, school nurses and health officials, and guidance counselors.

The CDC, back in 2014, estimated that only 7.2 percent of high schools and 2.3 percent of middle schools in the U.S. made condoms available to students. Results from a 2019 Vermont Youth survey showed that roughly 40% of high school students have had sex, and about half used condoms.

Condoms are being supplied free of charge to schools by Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. For more on the story, visit the New York Post's website here.