Las Cruces Public Schools Lose Family Planning Services

LAS CRUCES – Family planning services for the Las Cruces public school district have now been removed because of state law. That means contraceptives and pregnancy testing services will no longer be available in Las Cruces high schools.

The New Mexico Department of Health canceled the program because they say a school board rule about on the health centers violates state law. Last August, the LCPS School Board approved a family services program, but on the condition that parents have the right to deny their children access to it.

The New Mexico Department of Health says that condition is illegal.

“The law is very specific, it says that every child gets to make that decision. Their parent doesn’t get to make that, the child does,” said Dr. Linda Summers of the New Mexico Department of Health.

Signs are now up informing students that family planning services are no longer available. And school nurses are now referring students to outside doctors.

LCPS School Board officials say they wish to fix the policy and reinstate the program. As of now, they have not yet set a date on when they will address the issue.

Written for Web by Mike Mahoney