Youth Access to Sexual Health Services Act of 2017

To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to support the access of marginalized youth to sexual health services, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Youth Access to Sexual Health Services Act of 2017 2. Authorization of grants to support the access of marginalized youth to sexual health services (a) Grants The Secretary of Health and Human Services may award grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities to support the access of marginalized youth to sexual health services. (b) Use of funds An eligible entity that is awarded a grant under subsection (a) may use the funds to— (1) provide medically accurate and complete and age-, developmentally, and culturally appropriate sexual health information to marginalized youth, including information on how to access sexual health services; (2) promote effective communication regarding sexual health among marginalized youth; (3) promote and support better health, education, and economic opportunities for school-age parents; and (4) train individuals who work with marginalized youth to promote— (A) the prevention of unintended pregnancy; (B) the prevention of sexually transmitted infections, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); (C) healthy relationships; and (D) the development of safe and supportive environments. (c) Application To be awarded a grant under subsection (a), an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (d) Priority In awarding grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities— (1) with a history of supporting the access of marginalized youth to sexuality education or sexual health services; and (2) that plan to serve marginalized youth that are not served by Federal adolescent programs for the prevention of pregnancy, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections. (e) Requirements The Secretary may not award a grant under subsection (a) to an eligible entity unless— (1) such eligible entity has formed a partnership with a community organization; and (2) such eligible entity agrees— (A) to employ a scientifically effective strategy; (B) that all information provided to marginalized youth will be— (i) age- and developmentally appropriate; (ii) medically accurate and complete; (iii) scientifically based; and (iv) provided in the language and cultural context that is most appropriate for the individuals served by the eligible entity; and (C) that for each year the eligible entity receives grant funds under subsection (a), the eligible entity will submit to the Secretary an annual report that includes— (i) the use of grant funds by the eligible entity; (ii) how the use of grant funds has increased the access of marginalized youth to sexual health services; and (iii) such other information as the Secretary may require. (f) Publication and evaluations (1) Evaluations Not less than once every two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall evaluate the effectiveness of whichever of the following is greater: (A) Eight grants awarded under subsection (a). (B) Ten percent of the grants awarded under subsection (a). (2) Publication The Secretary shall make available to the public— (A) the evaluations required under paragraph (1); and (B) the reports required under subsection (e)(2)(C). (g) Limitations No funds made available to an eligible entity under this section may be used by such entity to provide access to sexual health services that— (1) withhold sexual health-promoting or life-saving information; (2) are medically inaccurate or have been scientifically shown to be ineffective; (3) promote gender stereotypes; (4) are insensitive or unresponsive to the needs of young people, including— (A) youth with varying gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations; (B) sexually active youth; (C) pregnant or parenting youth; (D) survivors of sexual abuse or assault; and (E) youth of all physical, developmental, and mental abilities; or (5) are inconsistent with the ethical imperatives of medicine and public health. (h) Transfer of funds Any unobligated balance of funds made available under section 510(d) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 710(d) (i) Definitions In this section: (1) Community organization The term community organization (2) Eligible entity The term eligible entity 25 U.S.C. 5304 (3) Marginalized youth The term marginalized youth (4) Medically accurate and complete The term medically accurate and complete (A) is supported by research and recognized as accurate, objective, and complete by leading medical, psychological, psychiatric, or public health organizations and agencies; and (B) does not withhold any information relating to the effectiveness and benefits of correct and consistent use of condoms or other contraceptives and pregnancy prevention methods. (5) Scientifically effective strategy The term scientifically effective strategy (A) is widely recognized by leading medical and public health agencies as effective in promoting sexual health awareness and healthy behavior; and (B) either— (i) has been demonstrated to be effective on the basis of rigorous scientific research; or (ii) incorporates characteristics of effective programs. (6) Secretary The term Secretary (7) Sexual health services The term sexual health services (A) sexual health information, education, and counseling; (B) contraception; (C) emergency contraception; (D) condoms and other barrier methods to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections; (E) routine gynecological care, including human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines and cancer screenings; (F) pre-exposure prophylaxis or post-exposure prophylaxis; (G) mental health services; (H) sexual assault survivor services; and (I) other prevention, care, or treatment.

Summary: Youth Access to Sexual Health Services Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to support the access of marginalized youth to sexual health services such as sexual health education and contraception. Marginalized youth are disadvantaged individuals under the age of 26. Grants may be awarded to state or local health or education agencies, public schools, nonprofit organizations, hospitals, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations. Grants may be used to: (1) provide sexual health information to marginalized youth, (2) promote effective communication regarding sexual health among marginalized youth, (3) promote and support opportunities for school-age parents, and (3) train individuals who work with marginalized youth to promote sexual health and the development of safe and supportive environments. Grants may not be used to provide access to health services that: (1) are medically unsound; (2) withhold sexual health-promoting or lifesaving information; (3) promote gender stereotypes; or (4) are insensitive or unresponsive to the needs of young people, including youth with varying gender identities and sexual orientations, sexually active youth, pregnant or parenting youth, and survivors of sexual abuse or assault. Unobligated funds for abstinence education are transferred and made available for these grants.