House education committee advances bill requiring fetal‑development instruction in grades 5–12

The Idaho House Committee on Education voted to send Senate Bill 1046 as amended to the full House with a due‑pass recommendation after a 9‑4 vote with one member absent. Representative Heather Scott (District 2) and Senate sponsor Senator Nichols presented the bill, which would add a new section to Title 33, Chapter 16 of Idaho Code (proposed 33‑16‑37) to require instruction on human growth and fetal development in grades 5 through 12 beginning in the 2025–26 school year.

Supporters told the committee the measure is intended to place fetal development material in life‑science instruction so students receive an early, scientifically framed understanding of human biology. Senator Nichols told the panel the bill would require “age‑appropriate” instruction that could include a high‑definition ultrasound video and computer‑generated…