NCJ Number
120747
Editor(s)
S Bjorkman
Date Published
1985
Length
85 pages
Annotation
The nature and extent of recent legislation designed to prevent teenage pregnancy and to minimize the adverse consequences of teenage parenting were examined through a 1985 survey of all 50 States.
Abstract
Results showed that 46 bills relating to teenage pregnancy and parenting were introduced in the 1985 legislative sessions. Thirteen bills passed. The states with the most enacted legislation on the topic are Connecticut, California, New York, and Michigan. The legislative initiatives fall into five general areas: 1) recognition of the problem of teenage pregnancy and parenting, 2) prevention based on family life education or contraceptive accessibility, 3) health care during pregnancy, 4) social services for pregnant or parenting teenagers, and 5) comprehensive services based on State-level coordination and case management services for pregnant adolescents and adolescent parents. The legislation reflects both the direct approach focusing on specialized services and the indirect approach based on services for the general population. Appended lists of legislation, program descriptions, and 49 references.