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April 6, 2012

Springfield approves school condom policy

Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield School Committee has approved a policy that will provide students as young as age 12 with condoms if they request them.

Supporters of the measure passed 4-3 Thursday night say it's a way to reduce teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Students in city middle and high schools will have access to condoms beginning Sept. 1 through school nurses and school health clinics. The students will be required to undergo counseling, including a discussion of abstinence and information on how to use and store the condoms.

The policy also includes an "opt out" provision that allows parents to sign a form that denies permission for their children to obtain condoms.

Some people argued that condoms should only be available to high school students.

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