Communities of Color Teen Pregnancy Prevention Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants for projects to prevent teen pregnancies in racial, ethnic minority, or immigrant communities with a substantial incidence or prevalence of cases of teen pregnancy compared to the average number in communities in the state.
Allows the Secretary to make grants to: (1) carry out activities to prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among teens; (2) provide necessary social and cultural support services regarding teen pregnancy; (3) provide health and educational services related to the prevention of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among teens; (4) promote better health and educational outcomes among pregnant teens; and (5) provide relevant training for individuals who plan to work in school-based support programs.
Requires the Secretary to make grants to: (1) provide public education and increase awareness with respect to the issue of reducing the rates of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among teens and related social and emotional issues; and (2) establish and operate a National Clearinghouse for Teen Pregnancy Prevention.
Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to make grants for research on the prevention of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among teens in such communities.
Allows a grant to be made under this Act only if the applicant agrees that: (1) all information provided pursuant to the Act will be age-appropriate, factually and medically accurate and complete, and scientifically based; and (2) information, activities, and services under the grant will be provided in the language and cultural context that is most appropriate for individual groups.
[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1790 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1790
To make grants to carry out activities to prevent the incidence of
unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections among teens
in racial or ethnic minority or immigrant communities, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 16, 2007
Mr. Obama introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To make grants to carry out activities to prevent the incidence of
unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections among teens
in racial or ethnic minority or immigrant communities, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Communities of Color Teen Pregnancy
Prevention Act of 2007''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Each year, nearly 750,000 American teens ages 15
through 19 become pregnant.
(2) In 2002, the pregnancy rate for African American and
Latino teens ages 15 through 19 was double the rate for white
teens (134.2 and 131.5 compared to 65.0).
(3) An estimated 4,883 youth ages 13 through 24 were
diagnosed with HIV or AIDS in 2004, representing approximately
13 percent of all individuals given a diagnosis during that
year.
(4) African American youth comprised the largest single
group of young people affected by HIV, accounting for 55
percent of all HIV infections among youth ages 13 through 24 in
2004.
(5) Although African American teens (ages 13 through 19)
represent only 16 percent of United States teens, they
accounted for 69 percent of new AIDS cases reported among teens
in 2005.
(6) In 2005, Latino teens, ages 13 through 19, accounted
for 17 percent of AIDS cases among teens, the same as their
proportion of the United States teenage population that year.
Latinos ages 20 through 24 accounted for 22 percent of new AIDS
reported among young adults, but represented 18 percent of
United States young adults.
(7) Recent estimates suggest that while 15- to 24-year olds
represent 25 percent of the ever sexually active population,
they acquire nearly one-half of all new sexually transmitted
infections.
(8) In 2005, the gonorrhea rate among African American
teens ages 15 through 19 was 17 times higher than among white
teens of the same age. The rates of primary and secondary
syphilis were 19 times higher among black teens ages 15 through
19 than among their white peers.
(9) In 2005, nearly three-fourths of all reported cases of
gonorrhea occurred among African American teens, for whom the
gonorrhea rate was 2,106 per 100,000 population.
SEC. 3. COMMUNITY-BASED AND SCHOOL-BASED INTERVENTION PROGRAMS.
(a) Community-Based Intervention Programs.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services
(referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary'') shall make
grants to public and nonprofit private entities for the purpose
of carrying out projects to prevent teen pregnancies in racial
or ethnic minority or immigrant communities with a substantial
incidence or prevalence of cases of teen pregnancy as compared
to the average number of such cases in communities in the State
involved (referred to in this Act as ``eligible communities'').
(2) Requirements regarding purpose of grants.--A grant may
be made under paragraph (1) only if, with respect to the
expenditure of the grant to carry out the purpose described in
such paragraph, the applicant involved agrees to use one or
more of the following strategies:
(A) Promote effective communication among families
about preventing teen pregnancy, particularly
communication among parents or guardians and their
children.
(B) Educate community members about the
consequences of teen pregnancy.
(C) Encourage young people to postpone sexual
activity and prepare for a healthy, successful
adulthood, including by teaching them skills to avoid
making or receiving unwanted verbal, physical, and
sexual advances.
(D) Provide information about the health benefits
and side effects of all contraceptives and barrier
methods as a means to prevent pregnancy and reduce the
risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections,
including HIV/AIDS.
(E) Provide educational information, including
medically accurate information about the health
benefits and side effects of all contraceptives and
barrier methods, for young people in such communities
who are already sexually active or are at risk of
becoming sexually active and inform young people in
such communities about the responsibilities and
consequences of being a parent, and how early pregnancy
and parenthood can interfere with educational and other
goals.
(3) Utilizing effective strategies.--A grant may be made
under paragraph (1) only if the applicant involved agrees that,
in carrying out the purpose described in such paragraph, the
applicant will, whenever possible, use strategies that have
been demonstrated to be effective (on the basis of rigorous
scientific research), or that incorporate characteristics of
effective programs.
(b) School-Based Projects.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may make grants to public
and nonprofit private entities for the purpose of establishing
and operating for eligible communities, in association with
public secondary schools for such communities, projects for one
or more of the following:
(A) To carry out activities, including counseling,
to prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually
transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, among
teens.
(B) To provide necessary social and cultural
support services regarding teen pregnancy.
(C) To provide health and educational services
related to the prevention of unintended pregnancy and
sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS,
among teens.
(D) To promote better health and educational
outcomes among pregnant teens.
(E) To provide training for individuals who plan to
work in school-based support programs regarding the
prevention of unintended pregnancy and sexually
transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, among
teens.
(2) Priority.--In making grants under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall give priority to providing for projects under
such paragraph in eligible communities.
(3) Required coalition.--A grant may be made under
paragraph (1) only if the applicant involved has formed an
appropriate coalition of entities for purposes of carrying out
a project under such paragraph, including--
(A) one or more public secondary schools for the
eligible community involved; and
(B) entities to provide the services of the
project.
(4) Training.--A grant under paragraph (1) may be expended
to train individuals to provide the services described in
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such paragraph for the project
involved.
(c) Reporting and Evaluation.--
(1) Report.--A grant may be made under subsection (a) or
(b) only if the applicant involved agrees to submit to the
Secretary, in accordance with the criteria of the Secretary, a
report that provides information on the project under such
subsection, including project outcomes and increased education
and awareness about the prevention of unintended pregnancy and
sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, among
teens. The Secretary shall make such reports available to the
public.
(2) Evaluations.--Not later than 12 months after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, directly or
through contract, provide for evaluations of at least 10
percent or not less than 6 projects carried out with grants
under each of subsections (a) and (b). Each such evaluation
shall describe--
(A) the activities carried out with the grant; and
(B) the extent to which the activities were
effective in changing attitudes and behavior to achieve
the project strategies consistent with--
(i) subsection (a)(2) for grants under
subsection (a); or
(ii) subsection (b)(1) for grants under
subsection (b).
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) Community-based intervention programs.--For the purpose
of carrying out subsection (a), there is authorized to be
appropriated $40,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008
through 2012.
(2) School-based projects.--For the purpose of carrying out
subsection (b), there is authorized to be appropriated
$10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
(3) Evaluations.--Of the total amount appropriated to carry
out this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve
10 percent of such amount to carry out subsection (c)(2).
SEC. 4. MULTIMEDIA CAMPAIGNS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall make grants to public and
nonprofit private entities for the purpose of carrying out multimedia
campaigns to provide public education and increase awareness with
respect to the issue of reducing the rates of unintended pregnancy and
sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, among teens, and
related social, physical, and emotional issues.
(b) Priority.--In making grants under subsection (a), the Secretary
shall give priority to campaigns described in such subsection that are
directed toward eligible communities.
(c) Requirements.--A grant may be made under subsection (a) only if
the applicant involved agrees that the multimedia campaign under such
subsection will--
(1) provide information on the prevention of unintended
pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/
AIDS, among teens;
(2) provide information that identifies organizations in
the communities involved that--
(A) provide health and educational services related
to the prevention of unintended pregnancy and sexually
transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, for teens;
and
(B) provide necessary social and cultural support
services; and
(3) coincide with efforts of the National Clearinghouse for
Teen Pregnancy Prevention that are made under section 5(b)(1).
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying
out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $6,000,000 for
each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
SEC. 5. NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall make grants to a nonprofit
private entity to establish and operate a National Clearinghouse for
Teen Pregnancy Prevention (referred to in this section as the
``Clearinghouse'') for the purposes described in subsection (b).
(b) Purposes of Clearinghouse.--The purposes referred to in
subsection (a) regarding the Clearinghouse are as follows:
(1) To provide information and technical assistance to
States, Indian tribes, local communities, and other public or
private entities to develop content and messages for teens and
adults that address and seek to reduce the rate of unintended
pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/
AIDS, among teens.
(2) To support parents in their essential role in
preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted
infections, including HIV/AIDS, among teens by equipping
parents with information and resources to promote and
strengthen communication with their children about sex, values,
and positive relationships, including healthy relationships.
(c) Requirements for Grantee.--A grant may be made under subsection
(a) only if the applicant involved is an organization that meets the
following conditions:
(1) The organization is a nationally recognized,
nonpartisan organization that has at least 10 years of
experience focusing on preventing teen pregnancy and working
with diverse groups to reduce the rate of teen pregnancy.
(2) The organization has a demonstrated ability to work
with and provide assistance to a broad range of individuals and
entities, including teens; parents; the entertainment and news
media; State, tribal, and local organizations; networks of teen
pregnancy prevention practitioners; reproductive health
providers; businesses; faith and community leaders; and
researchers.
(3) The organization has experience in the use of
culturally competent and linguistically appropriate methods to
address teen pregnancy in eligible communities.
(4) The organization conducts or supports research and has
experience with scientific analyses and evaluations.
(5) The organization has comprehensive knowledge and data
about strategies for the prevention of teen pregnancy.
(6) The organization has experience in carrying out
functions similar to the functions described in subsection (b).
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying
out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $1,500,000 for
each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
SEC. 6. RESEARCH.
(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall make grants to public
or nonprofit private entities to conduct, support, and coordinate
research on the prevention of unintended pregnancy and sexually
transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, among teens in eligible
communities, including research on the factors contributing to the
disproportionate rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted
infections in such communities and research-based strategies for
addressing such disparities.
(b) Research.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall
support research that--
(1) investigates the incidence and prevalence of teen
pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/
AIDS, among teens in communities described in such subsection;
(2) examines--
(A) the relationships between teen pregnancy and
one or more of--
(i) the mental and physical health and
well-being of teens in the communities;
(ii) teen access to a full range of family
planning services;
(iii) the scholastic achievement of such
teens;
(iv) family structure and communication;
and
(v) other factors contributing to
disproportionate rates of teen pregnancy and
sexually transmitted infections among teens in
such communities;
(B) the variance in the rates of teen pregnancy and
by--
(i) location (such as inner cities, inner
suburbs, outer suburbs, and rural areas);
(ii) population subgroup (such as Hispanic,
Asian-Pacific Islander, African-American, and
Native American);
(iii) level of acculturation; and
(iv) socioeconomic status (such as income,
educational attainment of the parents of the
teen, and school attendance of the teen);
(C) the importance of the physical and social
environment as a factor in placing communities at risk
of increased rates of pregnancy and sexually
transmitted infections; and
(D) the importance of aspirations and motivations
as factors affecting young people's risk of teen
pregnancy;
(3) is used to propose or identify additional strategies
that will address the disproportionate rates of teen pregnancy
and sexually transmitted infections in such communities; and
(4) wherever possible, includes efforts to link the
measures to relevant databases, including health databases.
(c) Priority.--In making grants under subsection (a), the Secretary
shall give priority to research that incorporates--
(1) interdisciplinary approaches; or
(2) a strong emphasis on community-based participatory
research.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying
out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $7,500,000 for
each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
SEC. 7. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Medically Accurate Information.--A grant may be made under this
Act only if the applicant involved agrees that all information provided
pursuant to the grant will be age-appropriate, factually and medically
accurate and complete, and scientifically based.
(b) Cultural Context of Services.--A grant may be made under this
Act only if the applicant involved agrees that information, activities,
and services under the grant that are directed toward a particular
population group will be provided in the language and cultural context
that is most appropriate for individuals in such group.
(c) Application for Grant.--A grant may be made under this Act only
if an application for the grant is submitted to the Secretary and the
application is in such form, is made in such manner, and contains such
agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary determines to
be necessary to carry out the program involved.
SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act:
(1) The term ``eligible community'' has the meaning
indicated for such term in section 3(a)(1).
(2) The term ``HIV/AIDS'' means the human immunodeficiency
virus, and includes the acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
(3) The term ``medically accurate'' with respect to
information, means information that is supported by research,
recognized as accurate and objective by leading medical,
psychological, psychiatric, and public health organizations and
agencies, and where relevant, published in peer review
journals.
(4) The term ``racial or ethnic minority or immigrant
communities'' means communities with a substantial number of
residents who are members of racial or ethnic minority groups
or who are immigrants.
(5) The term ``Secretary'' has the meaning indicated for
such term in section 3(a)(1).
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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