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Committee advances human growth and development curriculum bill after contested questions about opt‑in, scope
Summary
House Bill 1603, which would add a human growth and development requirement for high school students and include an opt‑in parental provision in its current PCS, was reported out of committee 8-2 after extended questioning on scope, opt‑in vs. opt‑out language and curricular limits.
The House Rules Committee reported House Bill 1603 out of committee with an 8-2 vote after extended questioning about whether the bill creates a graduation requirement, whether parental permission is required, and how narrowly the curriculum is defined.
Representative Geiss, sponsor of the bill, said the measure would integrate human growth and development curriculum into Oklahoma public schools and enact a graduation requirement tied to a one‑time completion between ninth and twelfth grades. “Yes, it does. There is a requirement, however, if they did not have the opt in, then they're exempt from that graduation requirement. There's also another exemption as well,” Representative Geiss said.
Committee members pressed the sponsor on whether the bill's language could allow comprehensive sex education under the bill’s “shall include, but is not limited to” phrasing. Representative Fugate asked how the language would prevent districts from providing broader material; Geiss said she intended the bill to focus on fetal development and said she had removed references she believed would lead to broader sex‑education material. Geiss also said the PCS contains an opt‑in provision; a member noted earlier versions had been opt‑out.
Representative Geiss and other members discussed specific curricular elements during questioning. Geiss said the requirement was envisioned as one lesson integrated into health or science standards, not a course overhaul, and that recommended materials could include an ultrasound video of at least three minutes as part of fetal‑development content; she said she did not endorse a particular out‑of‑state video that some members cited. Geiss said the bill’s recommended grade range was ninth through twelfth grades and that she would consider amending the phrasing “but is not limited to” if members found it too broad. A motion to strike the bill’s title was moved and agreed to without objection during the discussion to allow language work.
Representative Fugate and Representative Archer both asked about whether the bill constituted an unfunded mandate; the sponsor said existing curriculum resources could be used and that districts could source science‑based materials. Representative Heffner raised maternal and infant health concerns and asked whether prenatal/postnatal care content should be included; Geiss said she shared the concern and hoped to work on additional legislation addressing pregnancy education in the future.
The committee voted 8 aye and 2 nay and reported the bill as due passed. Members who spoke during the discussion included Representative Geiss (sponsor), Representative Fugate, Representative Archer, Representative West, Representative Heffner, Representative George and Representative Lawson.
