FILE - A sample of condoms distributed freely by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation is displayed at a news conference on Feb. 14, 2023, in Los Angeles. On Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have required free condoms be made available to all public high school students. – California Gov.
“This bill would create an unfunded mandate to public schools that should be considered in the annual budget process,” Newsom wrote in a message explaining why he vetoed the bill, known asThe bill would have required all public schools that have grades nine through 12 to make condoms available for free to all students. It would have required public schools with grades seven through 12 to allow condoms to be made available as part of educational or public health programs.State Sen.
Newsom said programs increasing access to condoms are “important to supporting improved adolescent sexual health.” But he said this bill was one of several measures lawmakers passed this year that, when added together, would add $19 billion in costs to the state budget. “With our state facing continuing economic risk and revenue uncertainty, it is important to remain disciplined when considering bills with significant fiscal implications, such as this measure,” Newsom said.
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