Boston School Board Expands Condom Availability

The Boston School Committee has approved a plan to make condoms more widely available in city high schools.

Previously, only a few schools that have health centers could provide condoms.

The Boston Globe reports that under the policy approved Wednesday, students will be able to receive them at any high school either from a community health service partner, the Boston Public Health Commission, or appropriate school staff.

Students will receive safe sex counseling before getting contraceptives, and parents will have the right to exempt their children.

The policy had wide support from students, public health advocates, and educators, and generated little public opposition. The vote was 5-0 with one abstention.

The Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts called the decision an important step in preventing unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.