SB 982 - This act relates to pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease prevention and abortion. SEXUAL EDUCATION
This act provides that any course materials relating to human sexuality shall not only be medically and factually accurate, but shall also be based on peer reviewed projects that have been demonstrated to influence healthy behavior. The course instruction shall also present abstinence from sexual activity as the preferred choice of behavior in relation to all sexual activity as the only sure way to avoid pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. The students shall also be presented with information about the health benefits and side effects of all contraceptives and barrier methods as a means to prevent pregnancy and to reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections or other diseases and well as information regarding the vaccine for the human papillomavirus. The instruction shall also help the students gain knowledge about the physical, biological, and hormonal changes of adolescence and subsequent states of human maturation. In addition, the students shall be encouraged to communicate with their family regarding sexuality. This act also requires instruction on the dangers of sexual predators, including online predators as well as the effects of electronic media on sexuality and relationships.
This act also repeals the prohibition on abortion providers providing human sexuality instruction and instead provides that a school district shall make all curriculum materials and names and affiliations of presenters used in the school district available for public inspection.(SECTION 170.015).
EXPEDITED SEXUAL PARTNER THERAPY
Any licensed physician may utilize expedited partner therapy for the management of the sexual partners of persons with chlamydia or gonorrhea if such partners do not have an established physician-patient relationship with a physician. A licensed physician using such therapy may prescribe and dispense medications for the treatment of chlamydia or gonorrhea for such sexual partners. Any county health facility may use the expedited partner therapy depending on the local case rate for chlamydia and gonorrhea. The Department of Health and Senior Services and the Division of Professional Registration shall develop rules for the implementation of the act. (SECTION 191.648).
BIRTH CONTROL PROTECTION
This act provides that consenting individuals have a protected interest from unreasonable governmental intrusions into their private lives in regards to obtaining and using safe and effective methods of contraception. This act also provides that the laws of this state will be interpreted to recognize these protected rights.
This act also prohibits governmental actors or entities from interfering in a consenting individual's right to the benefits, facilities, services, or information concerning safe methods of contraception. This act also prohibits any laws, rules, ordinances, taxes, or regulations that are implemented to promote public health and safety from unreasonably hindering the public's access to contraceptives. (SECTION 191.720).
PATIENT PROTECTION
Upon receipt of a valid and lawful prescription or upon a lawful request for contraception approved for over-the-counter use, a licensed pharmacy shall dispense the prescribed drug or device without delay, consistent with the normal time frame for filling any other prescription and shall fulfill the request for the over-counter drug in a timely fashion.
When the customer requests a prescribed drug or device, or contraception approved for over-the-counter use, and such drug or device is not in stock, the pharmacy shall offer the customer the option of having the pharmacy obtain the contraception under the pharmacy's standard procedures for expediting ordering of any drug or device not in stock or the pharmacy may locate another pharmacy of the customer's choice or closest pharmacy that has the drug or device in stock and transfer the customer's prescription to that pharmacy, if necessary. The pharmacy shall perform the customer's chosen option in a timely fashion.
The pharmacy shall ensure that it does not intimidate, threaten, or harass its customers in the delivery of services.
Nothing in this act shall prohibit a licensed pharmacy from refusing to dispense a prescribed drug or device in accordance with standard pharmacy practice if there is a valid medical concern or if the customer is unable to pay for the drug or device. (SECTIONS 338.012 AND 338.014).
This act is similar to SB 696 (2010) and SB 329 (2009).
ADRIANE CROUSE