SB 496 - Prevention First Act

• Revises sex education requirements to mandate instruction be medically accurate, peer-reviewed, and age-appropriate, presenting abstinence as the only sure way to avoid pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection.

• Requires instruction on contraception health benefits and side effects, HPV vaccines, family communication, decision-making skills, sexual predators, and statutory rape laws.

• Creates the "Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies (CARE) Act" requiring hospitals and health care facilities to provide sexual assault victims with written and oral information about emergency contraception and dispense it upon request, with $5,000 penalties per violation.

• Establishes the "Birth Control Protection Act" prohibiting government entities from denying consenting individuals the right to obtain and use contraception.

• Requires pharmacies to dispense prescribed drugs and over-the-counter contraception in timely fashion without intimidation, with options to order unavailable items or refer customers to other pharmacies; authorizes a women's health services program with $5 million initial funding to reduce unintended pregnancies.