Legislative Memo: Comprehensive Sex Ed

New York State does not currently require comprehensive sexual health education (CSE) in public schools. As a result, many schools across New York do not provide any sexuality education, and when they do, it is too often inaccurate, incomplete, and stigmatizing. This educational gap leads to poor health and educational outcomes for young people and high rates of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection (STIs), as well as increased rates of intimate partner abuse, sexual harassment, and genderbased violence. Public health experts and researchers agree: teaching medically accurate, age-appropriate CSE reduces sociodemographic disparities and improves the overall health and well-being of young people and communities.