Committee prints proposal to require fetal development instruction in grades 5–12

The Idaho Senate Education Committee voted to print RS 32066, a request bill presented by Senator Tammy Nichols that would require public schools to include visual instruction on fetal development in courses covering human biology and related subjects for students in grades 5 through 12.

"This legislation states that all public schools will include educational content visually demonstrating the stages of human life from fertilization to birth," Senator Tammy Nichols said when she presented RS 32066. She described allowable media as high-definition ultrasound video or computer-generated animation showing fetal growth milestones and said the instruction could be integrated into biology, health and other relevant courses. She said the bill builds on prior adoption education law and that the proposal requires no new funding because schools can use existing or free resources.

Committee members asked how the proposal would interact with the state's adopted academic standards. Senator Ward Engleking said he was concerned the legislation appears to be outside the existing standards review process and asked whether the department had consulted legislators during standards development. Senator Carlson also raised concerns about age appropriateness given the range of grades covered.

Nichols said she would provide more detail at a full hearing and indicated the proposal would be implemented in context with existing curricular standards; she noted the department and superintendent would be involved in ensuring compliance. She also said medical professionals are typically involved in delivering this kind of instruction in districts that bring them in.

Senator Carlson moved to print RS 32066; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The sponsor will work with committee staff to schedule a full hearing and to provide the video she referenced for potential inclusion in testimony.