Bill > SF175

This bill mandates changes to human growth and development and health education curricula for students in grades five through twelve across various school types in Iowa, focusing on incorporating detailed instruction about pregnancy and fetal development. Specifically, the bill requires that in grades five and six, and seven through twelve, students receive age-appropriate instruction that includes details about human development inside the womb, such as showing high-definition ultrasound videos depicting the brain, heart, and other vital organs during early fetal development. The curriculum must also include high-quality computer-generated renderings or animations showing prenatal human development from fertilization, highlighting significant cell growth and organ development stages. Importantly, the bill prohibits using educational materials from entities that perform, promote, or are affiliated with abortion services. Additionally, the bill modifies the definition of "research-based" instruction to emphasize complete and unbiased information verified by scientific methods and published in peer-reviewed journals. The new curriculum standards will be implemented starting July 1, 2025, and apply to public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, ensuring a consistent approach to teaching about human development and pregnancy across different educational settings.

Education (Senate)

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF175