ACLJ Headed to Court Against Maine School District

Today we will begin preparations 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 Portland School Committees decision not to reconsider this policy means we will now examine all legal avenues 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.  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 30,000 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.
 
We 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.  Our 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.
 
We contend that 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.   We have urged the Committee to put an end to this illegal activity, or the ACLJ will assist parents in bringing legal action against the Committee.
 
Our attorneys are now reviewing all legal avenues available, and we 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 that middle school and are confident that our legal challenge will succeed.