PORTLAND, Maine, Oct. 18 Administering birth control pills and other contraceptives to middle school students has been approved at a Portland, Maine, school.
The Portland School Committee voted 7-2 Wednesday night to allow King Middle School's health center to offer the services to students, most of whom are between 11 and 13, WCSH-TV, Portland, reported.
The issue arose after five girls reported being sexually active last year.
Under the arrangement, parents would have to sign a consent form to allow treatment at the school's health center but, based on doctor-patient confidentiality, wouldn't be notified of any contraceptives administered.
The school has provided condoms to students since 2000, the Portland Press Herald reported.
The vote makes King the first middle school in Maine to make a full range of contraception available to students in grades 6 to 8, said Nancy Birkhimer, director of teen health programs for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
Copyright 2007 by UPI
