Status:
Enacted
Foster Care
Health

Foster Youth Sexual Health Education Act (2017)

SB 89 (Leyva)
Location
California

In July 2017, California adopted a NCYL sponsored law requiring comprehensive sexual health education for youth in foster care and new training requirements for foster caregivers, social workers and judges.

 

Downloads
Facts about California's Foster Youth Sexual Health Education Act

Our Success & Impact

Get up to date on our latest work - from litigation and policy wins to new reports, resources, events and more.
Success and Impact

NCYL Leads the Movement To Promote Healthy Sexual Development For Youth In Foster Care

NCYL, through legislative and policy advocacy, litigation, storytelling, and innovative programming, is a consistent leader in the movement to...
Success and Impact

NCYL Efforts Lead to Big Budget Increases for California Kids

Oakland, CA – The National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) played a leading role in increasing California’s budget for children, particularly those in...
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Related Initiatives

Uphold Consent and Confidentiality

Laws and regulations that impact health consent and confidentiality for children and youth can facilitate or become a barrier to health care. NCYL helps youth, families and service providers understand these rules and how youth can advocate for their consent and confidentiality rights.

Empower Youth to Lead and Make Decisions About Their Sexual and Reproductive Health

NCYL’s RHEP normalizes, supports, and promotes the bodily autonomy and healthy sexual development of youth in foster care. We provide multiple resources so they feel empowered to make confident, informed decisions about their health.

Equip Health Systems and Professionals to Meet the Needs of Youth

Helping health professionals understand the complex challenges facing many system-involved youth who seek health care with tools to understand and navigate their legal obligations, implement the best standards of care, and provide trauma-informed, culturally competent care.

Related Resources

Report cover with title and photo of a diverse group of happy teens
Reports

Interview Survey of Adolescents in Foster Care in Los Angeles County Regarding Sexual and Reproductive Health Communication and Access to Resources

NCYL’s comprehensive study sheds light on the implementation of California’s Foster Youth Sexual Health Education Act, passed in 2017.
See All Resources
See All Laws & Policy

Hawai'i HB900: Relating to Child Welfare Services (2025)

Bill will create a working group — which will include lived experts in the state foster system — to design a pilot for

The National Center for Youth Law has worked closely with current and former foster youth in Hawai’i, as well as local advocates and service providers, to develop and advance HB900, a bill that advances the right to legal counsel for youth in the Hawai'i foster system. The bill was introduced Jan
Active

Supporting Students in the Foster System and Students Experiencing Homelessness (2024)

AB 2137 (Quirk-Silva)

Assembly Bill (AB) 2137 that would increase direct support for students, streamline services through better collaboration, and reduce gaps in financial aid application completion.
Active

Expanding Access to Diplomas for Highly Mobile Students (2021 & 2022)

SB 532 (Caballero)

SB 532 builds bridges to a high school diploma and post-secondary educational success for highly mobile students.
Enacted