CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

99

Introduced by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan

(Coauthors: Assembly Members Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bennett, Boerner, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Connolly, Elhawary, Fong, Gabriel, Garcia, Gipson, Mark González, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lee, Lowenthal, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Pellerin, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Rivas, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Schiavo, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, and Zbur)

August 4, 2026

Relative to Young Women’s Reproductive Health Awareness Month.

WHEREAS, Adolescence is a critical stage in physical and emotional development, during which young women begin making important decisions about their health and well-being; and

WHEREAS, Many young women lack awareness and timely diagnosis of reproductive conditions and diseases, including endometriosis, which can cause menstrual pain, fertility issues, and long-term health consequences if untreated; and

WHEREAS, Menstrual health is a critical, but often overlooked, component of teen health, and untreated menstrual disorders can lead to lifelong reproductive complications if not addressed early; and

WHEREAS, Black women are 50 percent less likely to be diagnosed with endometriosis than White women, and therefore less likely to get treatment, often due to systemic barriers and stigma surrounding the issue; and

WHEREAS, Comprehensive education on safe sexual health practices, including, but not limited to, prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), contraceptives, and consent, is vital for supporting the emotional health and well-being of teen girls; and

WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ youth may experience stigma, discrimination, or exclusion in health care settings, creating further inequities in access to reproductive and sexual health services; and

WHEREAS, Cultural stigma, lack of culturally appropriate resources, and language barriers can prevent immigrant and refugee teens from seeking timely reproductive health information and care; and

WHEREAS, The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is a proven, safe, and effective tool to prevent cervical, anal, oral, and other cancers, yet vaccination rates among teens in California remain below public health targets; and

WHEREAS, Hispanic women in the United States have some of the lowest HPV vaccination rates and the highest rates of cervical cancer compared to other populations. These outcomes are rooted in structural inequities surrounding access to care; and

WHEREAS, California has long been a leader in reproductive rights and promoting medically accurate health education; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the Assembly proclaims the month of September 2026 as Young Women’s Reproductive Health Awareness Month; and be it further

Resolved, That the Assembly encourages high schools, colleges, public health agencies, pediatricians, and community health providers to promote educational campaigns on reproductive health topics relevant to teenage girls, including menstrual health conditions, HPV vaccination, and healthy sexual health practices; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.