Bill > HB899

This bill requires state-funded health and sexuality education programs in Hawaii to include detailed discussions and visual materials about fetal growth and development. Specifically, the bill mandates that these programs incorporate two key visual elements: a high-definition ultrasound video at least three minutes long showing the development of various organs during early fetal stages, and a computer-generated animation depicting the entire process of fertilization and human development inside the uterus, with detailed markers of cell growth and organ development for each week of pregnancy until birth. The legislation defines "human growth and development discussion" as any oral, written, or digital lesson about human biology related to pregnancy, and "sexuality health education" as education on human development, sexuality, pregnancy, family planning, and sexually transmitted diseases. The bill's purpose, as stated in its findings, is to provide students with a medically accurate understanding of fetal development to potentially reduce high-risk sexual behavior, drawing on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations that comprehensive sexual health education can lead to more responsible sexual decision-making. The superintendent of education will be responsible for ensuring these requirements are integrated into Hawaii's health and sexual health education standards, with the bill set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=899&year=2025