On Tuesday, February 3, the Health & Human Services Committee of the Iowa House of Representatives will be convening at 2:30pm to discuss SF304 (and other items). This proposed bill prohibits minors from consenting to the provision of vaccinations for a sexually transmitted disease or infection. It would apply to the HPV and hepatitis vaccines.
FPCI opposes this bill. Allowing minors to consent to STI services is critical for increasing access to care, protecting public health, and reducing barriers for vulnerable young people. We support parental involvement in healthcare decisions, but recognize this is not always possible.
Key messages to share with your legislators:
• Minor consent laws are about safety, and they protect teens, families, and the community from risk. Without minor consent laws, minors are likely to forego care, spread infections to others, and experience potential lifelong health consequences like infertility. Some minors who need to access care may be victims of sexual abuse by a parent or have parents who are not actively involved in their lives.
• Parental partnership in adolescent development is important. Minor consent laws are not designed to circumvent parental involvement. Parents, caregivers, and minors all value parental engagement, and they also recognize the importance of private conversations about sensitive topics. Offering developmentally appropriate, confidential care is an important part of helping adolescents grow into responsible adults who can care for their own health.
• The HPV vaccine is cancer prevention for men and women. It helps stem Iowa’s rising rate of cancers caused by the virus, including cancers of the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus, and oropharynx (head & neck). Up to 80% of sexually active Americans will be infected with HPV at some point during their lives. The vaccine protects against nine cancer-causing strains of HPV, and needs to be delivered before sexual activity for maximal effectiveness.
Learn more about FPCI’s policy priorities this year, and please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you for your support!