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Committee hears support for optional comprehensive cancer education in schools
Summary
SB 6115 would authorize DOH to contract for optional, age‑appropriate cancer education for grades 6–12; supporters, including Cancer Pathways and students, told the committee that early prevention education can reduce modifiable cancer risk behaviors.
The Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee reopened testimony on Jan. 27 for Senate Bill 6115, a measure that would direct the Department of Health, subject to appropriation, to contract with a training entity to deliver age‑appropriate comprehensive cancer education to students in grades 6–12.
Staff summary: Greg Attenaccio told the committee the program is voluntary for school districts, designed to fit a single class period, and must be adaptable across formats. DOH must select an entity with a demonstrated record of delivering comprehensive cancer education and must report to the legislature by Dec. 1, 2027, on program numbers, student participation by geographic location, grade and language, and the number of programs delivered in Spanish.
Senator Adrian Cortez (18th Legislative District), sponsor of the bill, said the proposal is optional for school districts and highlighted Cancer Pathways as an example of an existing provider of age‑appropriate programming that covers tobacco, HPV, skin, breast and testicular cancers and risk‑reduction strategies.
Supporters from Cancer Pathways and students described classroom experience and outcomes. Darcy Huffman and Anna Gottlieb of Cancer Pathways and several classroom educators testified that students consistently lack basic cancer risk information and that earlier education drives prevention behaviors. Student testimony emphasized the personal importance and peer relevance of classroom‑based materials.
The bill requires DOH to issue an implementation report by Dec. 1, 2027. Committee members did not take a final vote on SB 6115 at this hearing; the chair closed the hearing after receiving public testimony.
