ACLJ Preparing Lawsuit to Remove Prescription Contraceptive Policy From Maine School Dist.

(Washington, DC) -- The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which specializes in constitutional law, said today it is preparing to file a lawsuit to remove a troubling policy in one Maine school district where prescription contraceptives are distributed to students as young as 11 without parental knowledge or consent.

The ACLJ says the Portland School Committees decision not to reconsider this policy means the ACLJ will now examine all legal options available and prepare to file a lawsuit challenging the policy that not only provides prescription contraceptives to young students without the knowledge or consent of parents, but also violates Maine law by not reporting all illegal sexual activity involving children 13 years old or younger. 

This is an issue where the rights of parents must be protected, said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ.  This is not only bad public policy but a violation of state law that simply cannot be ignored. There is tremendous outrage and disgust over the Committees usurpation of parental responsibility to protect the health and morality of their children.  We have heard from more than 40,000 Americans nationwide including hundreds of Maine residents who understand that this policy is not only flawed but dangerous.  Unless school officials make an 11th hour concession, we will move forward and file a lawsuit within a matter of weeks to remove this policy.

The ACLJ sent a letter to the Portland School Committee earlier this week calling the policy deeply troubling and warning that legal action would ensue unless school officials changed the policy. 

The ACLJ letter states:   The failure of health center personnel to report all instances of sexual activity involving young children endangers the safety of those children and must be corrected. Moreover, the Committees decision to offer prescription birth control to children as young as 11 years old tramples upon parental rights and has the effect of promoting illegal sexual activity.

The ACLJ contends the Committee is not only fostering criminal activity and child abuse, but is usurping parental authority and subjecting children to all kinds of health risks as well.  The ACLJ urged the Committee to put an end to this illegal activity, or the ACLJ will assist parents in bringing legal action against the Committee.

Sekulow says ACLJ attorneys are now reviewing all legal options available and will make a decision soon on whether the suit will be brought in state or federal court. 

We will be representing parents who have children in the middle school and are confident that our legal challenge will succeed, said Sekulow.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice specializes in constitutional law.  The ACLJ is based in Washington, D.C.