Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF391

Caption

A bill for an act incorporating provisions related to pregnancy and fetal development into the human growth and development and health curriculum provided by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to students enrolled in grades seven through twelve.(Formerly HSB 34.)

Impact

The enactment of HF391 would establish standardized instructional content across various educational institutions, ensuring that all students receive consistent information about human biology and fetal development. This initiative aligns with broader educational goals to inform students about health-related topics, but it also shifts the focus towards a specific perspective on fetal health and development within the curriculum. By ensuring that instruction includes detailed visual content, HF391 reinforces the importance of visual learning in comprehending complex biological processes.

Summary

House File 391 (HF391) aims to incorporate provisions regarding pregnancy and fetal development into the human growth and development and health curriculum for students in grades seven through twelve. It mandates that schools, including public, accredited nonpublic, charter, and innovation zone schools, provide educational content on human biology related to pregnancy and the development of the fetus inside the womb. The curriculum requirements also highlight the necessity of showing a high-definition ultrasound video that illustrates the early stages of fetal development.

Contention

Debate surrounding HF391 may arise from differing views on the appropriateness of such curriculum content in schools. Proponents argue that educative measures about pregnancy and fetal development provide essential knowledge for young people and promote informed decision-making regarding reproductive health. Critics may contend that the bill imposes a specific ideological viewpoint regarding pregnancy and fetal life, potentially limiting discussions on broader reproductive health issues and ignoring diverse perspectives on sexual education.

Companion Bills

IA HSB34

Related A bill for an act incorporating provisions related to pregnancy and fetal development into the human growth and development and health curriculum provided by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to students enrolled in grades seven through twelve.(See HF 391.)

Previously Filed As

IA HF76

A bill for an act incorporating provisions related to pregnancy and fetal development into the human growth and development and health curriculum provided by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to students enrolled in grades seven through twelve.

IA SSB1028

A bill for an act incorporating provisions related to pregnancy and fetal development into the human growth and development and health curricula provided by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to students enrolled in grades one through twelve.(See SF 175.)

IA HSB34

A bill for an act incorporating provisions related to pregnancy and fetal development into the human growth and development and health curriculum provided by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to students enrolled in grades seven through twelve.(See HF 391.)

IA SF175

A bill for an act incorporating provisions related to pregnancy and fetal development into the human growth and development and health curricula provided by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to students enrolled in grades five through twelve. (Formerly SSB 1028.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.

IA SSB3109

A bill for an act requiring school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to provide success-sequence education in grades seven through twelve.

IA HSB278

A bill for an act relating to physical education requirements for students enrolled in grades seven through twelve in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools.

IA HF536

A bill for an act relating to firearm, hunting, and wildlife instruction provided to students enrolled in grades six through eight in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, and including applicability provisions.

IA HSB276

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the minimum amount of instruction provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools.

IA SF113

A bill for an act relating to children and students, including by modifying provisions related to a parent's or guardian's rights to make decisions affecting the parent's or guardian's child, the educational program and human growth and development curriculum provided to students enrolled in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, student health screenings, school district library programs, special education, and other duties of school districts and the governing boards of charter schools and innovation zone schools.

IA SF100

A bill for an act relating to mental health resources for students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.