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Students, clinicians back SB 608 to expand condom access in school-based health centers; faith groups oppose
Summary
SB 608 would ensure school-based health centers can provide free condoms to grades 7–12; students and school-health advocates urged passage while some faith and parental groups opposed changes to local authority and parental notification.
Senator Menjivar presented SB 608 as a measure to remove barriers preventing school-based health centers from providing contraception and condoms to students in grades 7–12, saying budget set-asides are available to implement the program.
Student witnesses described experience buying condoms and encountering stigma or ID requests. Junior Joaquin Avalos said SB 608 is "a solution" for students disproportionately affected by STI rates and urged an "aye" vote. Jubilee Adams of the California School Based Health Alliance described school clinics' role in confidential, comprehensive care for students facing cost, transportation and stigma barriers.
Primary opposition came from family-policy and faith groups. Greg Burt of the California Family Council framed the bill as an intrusion on parental authority and argued it removes local school-district discretion; Pastor Brandon Campbell urged rejection on moral and public-health grounds. Committee members acknowledged the competing concerns and the need to balance access, parental rights and operational feasibility; no final floor passage was recorded during the hearing.
