South Dakota bill
bans condoms at schools

A bill that would make it illegal to distribute condoms, birth control pills, and other contraceptives on public school property in South Dakota has passed the state house 51-17. Though the bill forbids the distribution of contraceptives on school grounds, parents would be allowed to give those items to their own children. The bill cleared the house after lawmakers removed penalty language that would have threatened up to one year in jail and $2,000 fines. Also removed was a provision that could have resulted in jail for teachers and school counselors who referred or took students to family planning services or abortion clinics. The controversial language was stripped after legislators were told that it could violate free-speech rights. The bill now goes to the state senate. (AP)