IN SR0033

Urges the Legislative Council to assign the topic of the societal impact of teenage pregnancy education to the appropriate study committee.

The United States has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the western industrialized world, twice the rate of Canada and four times higher than France and Germany.

The United States spends $7 billion annually on costs associated with teen pregnancy, with Indiana having a higher teen pregnancy rate than the national average.

More than half of teen mothers never graduate from high school, and less than 2% earn a college degree by age 30.

80% of teenage pregnancies are unintended; averting unintended pregnancies in Indiana saved federal and state governments $115.9 million in Medicaid costs for pregnancy-related and newborn care in 2010.