Why this matters
For the past three decades, the rates of sexually transmitted disease (STDs) have continued to climb in California. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are becoming more prevalent and can have long-term health effects if left untreated. Syphilis has risen at an especially alarming rate (nearly 900% between 2012-2018!) and can cause serious harm to adults and to newborns during childbirth. Young adults and Black people face disproportionately high rates of infection, and addressing this requires removing barriers to testing and treatment.
What our bill does
SB 306 helps to addresses the STD epidemic and improve health outcomes by reducing barriers to STD services and treatment by:
- Expanding access to STD services and treatment for low-income and uninsured patients through the Family PACT program and provider network
- Increasing prevention through innovative strategies like home testing + expansion of health professionals that conduct rapid testing in the community
- Revising current law to support the delivery and increased utilization of Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT). This evidence-based and effective STD prevention practice provides patients who test positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea with take-home medication or perscriptions for their sex partners.
- Updating state law to require congenital syphilis testing during the third trimester of pregnancy