Maryland State Delegate Kathy Szeliga has voiced strong opposition to a newly passed bill that would lift the ban on selling condoms in vending machines at schools.
She described the move as part of the “oversexualization” of children, arguing that it goes too far.
House Bill 380 (H.B. 380), sponsored by Delegate Nicole Williams , grants all schools
Preschools, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools, the option to sell contraceptives like condoms through vending machines or other automated devices.
The bill, which passed with an 89-41 vote, also removes the criminal penalty for selling condoms in vending machines at schools.
Previously, violators faced a misdemeanor charge and a fine of up to $1,000.
Szeliga criticized the measure before it was passed, calling it “condoms for kiddies” and questioning the next steps.
“So, next year, we’re going to have a bill regulating what can go in these condom machines.
What colour can the wrappers be? What words can go on the wrappers?” she asked.
She further expressed concern about how young children might react to seeing condom vending machines in their schools.
“Imagine walking into preschool with your three, four, or five-year-old.
They see the machine and ask, ‘Mommy, Daddy, what’s in that machine?’ Or they’re learning to read and you have to explain what those words mean.
This is oversexualization, and it just goes too far,” she said.
Bill simply removes criminal penalties
Despite the backlash, Williams defended the bill, clarifying that it does not require schools to sell condoms.
Instead, it only removes the criminal penalty for doing so.
“It’s not setting policy. It’s not dictating to anyone what they should or should not do, or to any of our school systems,” Williams explained.
“All we’re doing is removing a misdemeanour from our criminal law article.”
However, other Republican lawmakers joined Szeliga in opposing the bill. Delegate Mark Fisher questioned its purpose on social media.
“Why would a kindergartener need a condom?” he wrote.
“Perhaps you should ask Delegate Williams, who introduced HB 380. The bill allows condoms to be given to children in elementary school without consequence or penalty.”
Congressman Andy Harris also criticized the bill, calling it an example of “craziness” from Maryland’s Democrat-controlled legislature.
“The House of Delegates is about to pass HB 380,a bill that makes it legal to sell condoms in preschools and kindergartens. When will the craziness end?” he wrote.
While the debate continues, the bill’s passage marks a significant shift in school policy, igniting a fierce discussion about age-appropriate access to contraceptives.
