Committee advances human fetal growth and development education bill after discussion of materials and oversight

Senate Education Committee members voted to pass a bill authorizing the Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Health, to decide age‑appropriate grade levels and instructional materials for a human growth and development curriculum that may include high‑definition ultrasound footage.

Senator Brianne Davis (District 25), the bill sponsor, said the measure was drafted after committee members requested amendments that were not supplied in an earlier bill. She described the legislation as authorizing the Department of Education to work with the Department of Health to determine when and how students would receive instruction about fertilization and fetal development and to permit, at appropriate grade levels, viewing high‑definition ultrasound footage that shows brain, heart and other organs in early fetal development.

Questions from other senators focused on which entity ultimately approves specific curriculum materials. Senator Anna Rose Bridal asked who would decide which video or resource is appropriate; Davis said the curriculum committee within the Department of Education would select materials and that the previously contested video "Meet Baby Olivia" (produced by Live Action) could be one available resource if a district chose to use it. Davis said the state board would not have direct veto power over curriculum committee selections and that no rule promulgation was required by the bill.

Senator Jim Dodson asked whether the Department of Health would have veto authority; Davis said Health would be consulted but not have a veto over the curriculum committee's decisions. Several senators said they had no further questions, and the committee held a voice vote to report the bill favorably.

What the bill does and does not do: the sponsor said the measure does not replace existing K‑12 standards; instead it authorizes the Department of Education's curriculum processes to determine age appropriateness and available instructional tools. The sponsor said the bill was designed to let schools use the contested "Meet Baby Olivia" video if they choose but also to allow other resources.

Speakers quoted in this article include only those who spoke on the record during the bill presentation and committee questioning.