An effort to prevent the youngest of children at a Maine middle school from receiving birth control has been scrapped, and the state attorney general has recused himself because of a conflict of interest.
Shortly after King Middle School proposed handing out contraceptives to 11- to 13-year-old studetns, Mike Hein of the Christian Civic League of Maine said a proposal was brought up to bring the program in line with state law — sexual contact with or between children younger than 14 is illegal, and the state requires authorities to report such activity.
"That proposal was withdrawn," Hein told Family News in Focus, "due to significant lack of support by the other school committee members."
Without that safeguard, Mary Schiavoni of Heritage Maine said more serious crimes may be hidden.
"Any child under the age of 14 who is engaged in sexual activity is falling into that area of potential sexual abuse," she said. "There is really no need to keep these young girls in a state of permanent sexual readiness."
Since the plan doesn't appear to line up with the law, it's likely that a lawsuit will be pursued. Hein said that posed a potential conflict of interest for Maine Attorney General Steven Rowe.
"The integrity of the office was called into question," Hein said, "because Amanda Rowe, Steven Rowe's wife, was the head of the Portland health department for the schools."
Steven Rowe recused himself on Friday from any cases involving the controversial plan.
