Connecticut
New Connecticut bill aims to enshrine minors’ access to reproductive health
The bill would codify the right of minors to receive contraceptive and pregnancy-related care without parental permission.
Fareed Salmon
Staff Reporter
Rachel Mak,
A proposed bill in the Connecticut state legislature seeks to address disparities in access to contraceptive care for minors.
Currently, state law allows minors to receive emergency medical treatment, HIV testing, mental health services, abortions and STI testing without parental consent. Minors can often access these services at school-based health centers. It is technically assumed that minors can access contraceptive care without parental permission. However, House Bill 7213 would codify this provision into law.
“Young people should not have to face the risk of unwanted pregnancies, HIV or untreated STIs simply because they’re afraid to speak to their parents to access contraceptive care,” said Melanie Wilde-Lane, executive director of the Connecticut Association of School Based Health Centers. “If a teenager knows they may have an STI but fears telling their parents about their sexual activity, it can lead to a situation where the condition goes untreated — putting their health and even their life at risk.”
Various healthcare providers last month highlighted their support of the bill. Wilde-Lane believes that the government has been prioritizing intervention over prevention. The association views contraceptive care as an effective means to reduce unintended pregnancies and abortions in the first place.
Planned Parenthood prioritizes this bill due to the changing federal landscape. Its leaders believe that Connecticut has an obligation to protect access to contraceptives in a time when the federal government is infringing on those rights.
“Although young people in Connecticut for decades have been able to obtain contraceptive care, one of the things that we are concerned about are the potential changes at the federal level,” Gretchen Raffa, chief policy and advocacy officer at Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, said. “[These federal actions] could directly threaten access for minors to confidentiality or to consent to contraceptive care on their own.”
According to Wilde-Lane, at school-based health centers, access to contraceptive care is not that simple. When a student comes in to request products like condoms, they would be put on a schedule. Next, they would talk with the therapist on call to explore why the minor would want to ask for or need the product. They would ask questions such as “Have you talked to your parents?” and “Is there a partner involved?” Therapists would also try to explain to students about the various physical, mental and emotional side effects of intimate behavior.
Most students are not able to access contraceptive care on the first visit. Most are sent home with a little homework as they explore the questions and make sure they still want contraceptive care. If kids below the age of 13 request any form of contraceptive care, the Department of Child and Family Services is contacted.
If the proposed bill is passed, students would not only be able to access contraceptive care at a school-based health center, but also at other medical facilities across the state, such as clinics and hospitals, all without requiring parental consent or notification. Their privacy would be fully protected, including safeguards against disclosure through billing or medical records.
“Healthcare professionals who work with young people, especially children, often consider their full history during assessments,” Bonnie Roswig, senior staff attorney at the Center for Children’s Advocacy, said in the committee hearing on the bill. “These spaces allow for early detection of potential issues, ensuring that children who are at risk can be identified, reported and protected.”
According to Wilde-Lane, this bill is not meant to hinder relationships between parents and children.
The bill is intended to allow minors to receive contraceptive care without parental involvement, particularly in situations where the parents might harm the child if they knew about the treatment. Even though parents might desire to talk with their children about contraceptive care and sexual health, many parents aren’t or don’t know how to.
Wilde-Lane notes that having this kind of support system that can provide them with initial counseling can even encourage children to talk with their parents about sexual health earlier rather than later. Therapists can also help familiarize children with telling their parents about their situation.
Though minors can access contraceptive care at some medical facilities currently, there are several barriers.
Cost is a major issue, as many contraceptives are expensive without insurance or parental help. Additionally, fear of parental discovery and limited clinic access can discourage minors from seeking care, making it harder for them to obtain the contraception they need. This bill will allow minors to bypass the barriers and access the care if deemed necessary.
According to Roswig, this bill does not force doctors to provide care they’re uncomfortable with.
“If a doctor isn’t comfortable prescribing something, they’re not ethically obligated to do so. That ultimately falls under the professional and ethical responsibilities of physicians,” she said.
Wilde-Lane believes that it is very likely that the bill will become law, and it has already been passed in the House. She hopes that this bill is a step toward meaningful change, providing much-needed protections and support for communities.
Planned Parenthood is located at 345 Whitney Ave.
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Five Connecticut towns will collectively receive $10 million in grants for infrastructure upgrades, according to a Monday announcement by Gov. Ned Lamont.
The Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) is awarding $10.7 million to Coventry, Guilford, Ledyard, Mansfield and Thomaston to modernize and rehabilitate housing for low- and moderate-income residents, the announcement said.
The funds are being released through the DOH’s Community Development Block Grant’s small cities program, with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. To be eligible, a municipality must have fewer than 50,000 residents.
Cost Breakdown
Coventry: $2 million
Town of Coventry plans to use funds to upgrade, with a focus on making Orchard Hill Estates compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Guilford: $2 million
The Town of Guilford plans to use funds to design and build future affordable housing projects, consisting of up to 16 rental units and 8 homes.
Ledyard: $2 million
The Town of Canton requested funding for the first phase of affordable housing for people in Ledyard and the surrounding area. Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut is in the pre-development phase of the Colby Drive and plans to create 38 units.
Mansfield: $2.2 million
Funding will be used for upgrades to Wright’s Village, including roof replacements and sidewalk repairs.
Thomaston: $2.5 million
Funds will be used to make Green Manor ADA-compliant, including the installation of a new emergency call aid system.
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Connecticut
Florida High School State Bronze Medalist Dajah German Verbals To Connecticut For Fall 2027
Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Florida high school state bronze medalist Dajah German has announced her verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Connecticut beginning in the fall of 2027. She publicized the news on SwimCloud, writing:
I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Connecticut! I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, my family, coaches, teammates, and friends who have pushed me to be my best throughout the years. And a very special thank you to Coach Chris and Coach Nicole for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I’m so excited for what’s ahead. GO HUSKIES!
A rising senior at Fort Lauderdale High School in Florida, German trains year-round with Swim Fort Lauderdale and primarily specializes in the sprint and middle-distance freestyle events.
German has improved each year of her high school career, most recently dropping from 23.78, 51.39, and 1:50.56 in the 50/100/200 free to 23.54, 51.35, and 1:49.69 during the 2025-26 short course season.
German’s top meet of the season was the Florida Senior Championships in March, where she recorded her current PBs in both the 50 and 200 free. She finished second in the 500 free (4:55.94) and 1650 free (17:02.78), third in both the 50 free and 200 free, and fifth in the 100 free (51.43). She set her current 100 free PB at a smaller holiday meet in December. In the 500 free, she clocked a season-best 4:55.21 at the Speedo Cup in January, with her lifetime best of 4:53.19 coming at the 2025 Florida Senior Championships.
German has qualified for the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) State Championships for the past three years, with her top performance coming at the 2025 iteration in November. She placed third in the 50 free (23.96), fifth in the 500 free (5:01.12), and helped Fort Lauderdale to fourth place in both the 200 free relay (24.64 leadoff) and 400 free relay (53.08 anchor).
Top SCY Times:
- 50 Freestyle: 23.54
- 100 Freestyle: 51.35
- 200 Freestyle: 1:49.69
- 500 Freestyle: 4:53.19
A Division I Mid-Major program, Connecticut competes in the Big East, with the women’s team placing second out of seven teams at this past season’s conference championships. German’s current lifetime bests would have placed third in the 200 free, fourth in the 500 free, eighth in the 50 free, and ninth in the 100 free, setting her up as an immediate contributor with two full seasons of training still ahead before her first conference meet.
German joins Anna Mumford, Lyla Devlin, Lena Brown, and Louisa Holda in committing to the Huskies’ class of 2031 so far.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
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