Sec. 19a-59e. Media campaign for the reduction of adolescent pregnancies. - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 19a-59e. Media campaign for the reduction of adolescent pregnancies. (a) The Department of Public Health, in consultation with the Department of Social Services, shall create a joint program between public and private organizations to design and establish a three-year media campaign entitled "Campaign For Our Children" for the purpose of reducing adolescent pregnancy in the state.

      (b) Said media campaign shall have as its central focus the reduction of teen pregnancy and shall include the following strategies: (1) Delaying sexual intercourse among adolescents; (2) promoting pregnancy prevention among adolescents; (3) educating male adolescents about sexual and parenting responsibilities including child support; (4) promoting communication skills to parents of adolescents to assist such parents in educating their children about sexual and parenting responsibilities; (5) promoting community involvement by adolescents for the purpose of building self-esteem and individual skills; and (6) educating the community about the offenses of sexual assault of a minor, pursuant to sections 53a-70, 53a-71 and 53a-73a.

      (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 4-212 to 4-219, inclusive, the Department of Public Health, in consultation with the Department of Social Services, shall solicit bids from private organizations for the design and operation of said media campaign. Such bids shall be solicited by sending notice to prospective organizations and by posting notice on public bulletin boards within said departments. Each bid shall be opened publicly at the time stated in the notice soliciting such bid. Acceptance of a bid by said departments shall be based on standard specifications adopted by said departments. The department may accept gifts, donations, bequests, grants or funds from public or private agencies for any or all of the purposes of this section.

      (d) On October 1, 1997, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Public Health shall submit a report to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and budgets of state agencies and public health. The report shall describe the status of the program established by this section and shall include, but not be limited to, the manner in which funds have been or will be spent in meeting the mandates of subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of subsection (b) of this section.

      (P.A. 95-227, S. 1, 2; 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8, S. 56, 88.)

      History: P.A. 95-227 effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8 amended Subsec. (b) to specify central focus as the reduction of teen pregnancy and added Subsec. (d) re report to the General Assembly, effective July 1, 1997.