H.R. 3527: Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2025
Sponsor
Alma Adams
Democrat · NC-12
Bill Progress
Latest Action · May 21, 2025
Referred to Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. for review
Congress moves to end federal abstinence-only sex ed funding
Why it matters
Only 36 states and D.C. require schools to teach sex ed or HIV education, and 13 states don't require what's taught to be medically accurate, according to the bill's findings. H.R. 3527 would authorize $100 million a year through 2031 for comprehensive, medically accurate programs — and repeal the federal abstinence-only-until-marriage grant program that's been funded since the 1990s.
H.R. 3527, the Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act, would create four federal grant programs run by the Department of Health and Human Services. Schools and youth organizations, colleges, educator-training groups, and clinics serving young people could all compete for funding.
The money comes with strings. Programs would have to be medically accurate and age-appropriate, covering topics from contraception and consent to gender identity and STIs. Federal funds couldn't go to programs that are medically inaccurate or that withhold information about HIV.
The bill authorizes $100 million a year from 2026 through 2031, split by formula: up to 30% for K-12 schools and youth groups, up to 30% for sexual health services, up to 15% for training teachers, and up to 10% for colleges.
It also repeals the federal abstinence-only-until-marriage grant program and redirects whatever money is left in it to the new grants. The bill's findings argue that current sex education leaves many young people — especially youth of color — without accurate information, framing the gap as a product of what the bill calls longstanding systemic inequity.
H.R. 3527 Bill Summary
What H.R. 3527 actually does.
Four new federal grant programs for sex education
Creates competitive grants run by Health and Human Services for K-12 schools and youth organizations, colleges, educator-training groups, and clinics serving young people. Each grant runs five years.
Federal abstinence-only funding ends
Repeals the federal abstinence-only-until-marriage grant program and redirects whatever money is left in it to the new comprehensive sex education grants.
Funds can't support medically inaccurate programs
Bars federal dollars from going to programs that are medically inaccurate, that withhold information about HIV, or that exclude students based on gender identity or sexual orientation.
Curriculum has to be medically accurate and inclusive
Funded programs must cover topics from contraception and consent to STIs and healthy relationships, be age-appropriate, and be inclusive of students regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
Teacher training gets dedicated money
Sets aside up to 15% of the funding to train teachers, health educators, and school staff to deliver the curriculum.
Who benefits from H.R. 3527?
Students in states without mandates
The bill's findings say only 36 states and D.C. require schools to teach sex ed or HIV education — leaving students elsewhere dependent on whatever their district chooses. The bill defines 'young people' as ages 10 through 29.
Schools, colleges & youth organizations
Public and private groups that teach health to young people can compete for five-year grants, with up to 30% of funding reserved for K-12 schools and youth groups and up to 10% for colleges.
Educators
Up to 15% of the money funds professional development so teachers and school staff are trained to deliver the curriculum.
Clinics serving underserved youth
Up to 30% of funding supports youth-friendly sexual health services — contraception, screenings, counseling — for young people the bill describes as facing structural barriers to care.
Who is affected by H.R. 3527?
Abstinence-only programs
The dedicated federal funding stream for abstinence-only-until-marriage education would be repealed, and its leftover funds redirected to the new grants.
Health and Human Services
HHS would administer four competitive grant programs, set application rules, report to Congress annually for five years, and contract an independent multi-year impact evaluation.
States and religious schools
Participation is voluntary and grant-based, but programs that accept funds must meet the bill's medical-accuracy and inclusion standards, which could conflict with some institutions' approaches.
Cost & Funding
Authorization
$100,000,000
- Authorizes $100 million a year from fiscal 2026 through 2031 — up to $600 million over six years
- Authorization is a ceiling, not guaranteed money; actual dollars depend on annual appropriations
- Splits the funding: up to 30% for K-12 schools and youth groups, up to 30% for sexual health services, up to 15% for teacher training, up to 10% for colleges, at least 5% for evaluation
- Distributed through competitive grants administered by HHS
- No CBO score yet
HR3527 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
May 21, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
About the Sponsor
Alma Adams
Democrat, North Carolina's 12th congressional district · 12 years in Congress
Committees: Agriculture, Education and Workforce
View full profile →
Cosponsors (19)
All 19 cosponsors are Democrats. Cosponsors represent 15 states: Alabama, California, District of Columbia, and 12 more.
Pramila Jayapal
Democrat · WA
Donald Beyer
Democrat · VA
Danny Davis
Democrat · IL
Suzanne Bonamici
Democrat · OR
Julia Brownley
Democrat · CA
Mike Quigley
Democrat · IL
Paul Tonko
Democrat · NY
Kathy Castor
Democrat · FL
Suzan DelBene
Democrat · WA
Marilyn Strickland
Democrat · WA
Joyce Beatty
Democrat · OH
Eleanor Norton
Democrat · DC
Committee Sponsors
Energy and Commerce Committee
2 of 54 committee members cosponsored
Education and Workforce Committee
2 of 36 committee members cosponsored
36 Democrats across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does H.R. 3527 change?
2 changes
Sections Amended
Section 2500 of Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300ee)
striking subsections (b) through (d) and inserting the following: ``(b) Contents of Programs
Sections Repealed
510 of Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 710) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act) are hereby transferred and shall be used by the Secretary to carry out this Act. The amounts transferred and made available to carry out this Act shall remain available until expended. (d) Repeal of Abstinence Only Until Marriage Program.--Section 510 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 710)
H.R. 3527 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Energy and Commerce
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Health
- Introduced
- May 21, 2025
Referred to Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. for review
May 21, 2025
Official Sources
Official bill page with full text, cosponsors, actions, and committee referrals for the Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2025.
Senate version of the same legislation, referred to the HELP Committee — tracking both chambers shows the bill's full legislative path.
CDC data showing the U.S. teen birth rate declined 78% from 1991 to 2021 but remains higher than other high-income countries — the public health backdrop driving this bill.
2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data: 32% of high school students have had sex, 48% did not use a condom last time — the behavioral evidence base the bill's curriculum standards aim to address.
The CDC division that works directly with schools on health education, serving 50M+ K-12 students — a key federal partner for implementing the bill's grant programs.
The current federal statute (formerly abstinence education) that Section 12 of HR3527 would repeal, ending the abstinence-only-until-marriage grant program.
The Public Health Service Act subchapter on HIV/AIDS prevention education that Section 11 of HR3527 amends to include information on intravenous substance use effects.
H.R. 3527 Common Questions
How much would H.R. 3527 cost?
It authorizes $100 million a year from 2026 through 2031 — up to $600 million over six years. That's a ceiling, not guaranteed money; the actual amount depends on annual appropriations.
Does H.R. 3527 end federal abstinence-only funding?
Yes. It repeals the federal abstinence-only-until-marriage grant program and redirects whatever money is left in it to the new comprehensive sex education grants.
Does H.R. 3527 force schools to teach comprehensive sex ed?
No. It doesn't mandate any curriculum. It creates competitive grants that schools, colleges, and youth organizations can choose to apply for. Programs that take the money have to meet the bill's standards.
What would the sex education have to cover?
Funded programs must be medically accurate and age-appropriate, covering puberty, anatomy, contraception, pregnancy, HIV and other STIs, consent and healthy relationships, interpersonal violence, and gender identity.
Does the bill require sex education to include LGBTQ+ students?
Yes. Funded programs must be inclusive of students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, and federal funds can't go to programs that exclude them or ignore their needs.
How does H.R. 3527 define consent?
The bill defines consent as an affirmative, conscious, and voluntary agreement to engage in interpersonal, physical, or sexual activity.
Can colleges and universities get these grants?
Yes. The bill creates a separate grant track for higher education, with priority for minority-serving institutions and schools enrolling large numbers of low-income students.
Will H.R. 3527 pass?
It faces a steep climb. The bill has 19 cosponsors, all Democrats, and sits in two House committees. With Republicans controlling the House and the abstinence-only repeal a flashpoint, no floor vote is scheduled.
Based on H.R. 3527 bill text
H.R. 3527 Bill Text
“To provide for the overall health and well-being of young people, including the promotion and attainment of lifelong sexual health and healthy relationships, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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