In 1992, nine Philadelphia High Schools opened HRC's where students could obtain condoms, general health referrals, and reproductive health information. Philadelphia schools have an opt-out choice for parents who choose to exclude their children from the program. Currently there is a challenge underway in Philadelphia. The case was first dismissed for lack of legal standing. Plaintiffs had denied their children access to the program, legally, it could not be deemed harmful. There is a firm history of legal support for minors to receive medical services related to sexuality and reproductive health; there is a high chance Philadelphia may win this case. In Falmouth County, Massachusetts, there was also a condom distribution program created. Parents claimed the program infringed upon their parental rights, and denied their religious liberties. The parents requested that the courts prevent any further operation of the distribution program. The Massachusetts Supreme Court, upholding the lower court ruling, rejected the parents claims that the program violated their rights. A five-judge panel ruled that the existence of the program did not infringe upon students or parents rights. The Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled "[The] students are free to decline to participate in the program. No penalty or disciplinary action ensues if a student does not participate.......[and] the plaintiff parents are free to instruct their children not to participate. The program does not supplant the parent's role as advisor in the moral and religious development of their children. (Karen Mahler page 1)"In 1991 the New York City Board of Education created a program to make condoms accessible to all high school students upon request. The program caused parental disagreement and the school board was taken to court. Parents claimed that making condoms available to students was a health service and could not be provided to students. The board argued that...
