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Bill

HB 1946

TO REQUIRE HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTRUCTION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mary Bentley and 1 co-sponsor

HB 1946 aimed to require Arkansas public schools to teach human growth and development to grades 6-12, enhancing education on fetal growth and reproduction.

Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 1946

Summary of House Bill 1946

Bill Number: HB 1946
Title: To Require Human Growth and Development Instruction in Public Schools
Status: Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment
Introduced: April 01, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1946 aimed to mandate the inclusion of human growth and development instruction in public schools across Arkansas. The bill sought to ensure that students in grades six through twelve receive comprehensive education on human development, particularly focusing on fetal growth and the biological processes involved in human reproduction.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed several significant changes to existing educational requirements:

  1. Mandatory Instruction:

    • Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, all public schools serving students in grades 6-12 would be required to provide instruction on human growth and development.

  2. Content Requirements:

    • The instruction must include:
      • A high-definition ultrasound video (minimum three minutes) demonstrating the development of the brain, heart, sex organs, and other vital organs during early fetal development.
      • A high-quality, computer-generated animation illustrating the process of fertilization and the stages of human development within the uterus, highlighting key milestones in cell growth and organ development throughout pregnancy.

  3. Integration with Existing Curriculum:

    • The human growth and development instruction must be incorporated into classes that cover:
      • Human biology
      • Contraception
      • Sexually transmitted diseases or infections

  4. Definition of Public Schools:

    • The bill defined "public school" to include both traditional public schools and open-enrollment public charter schools.

Affected Parties

  • Students: The primary beneficiaries would be students in grades 6-12, who would receive enhanced education on human growth and development.
  • Public Schools: Schools would need to adapt their curricula to comply with the new requirements, potentially necessitating additional training for educators and resources for instructional materials.

Fiscal Impact

According to the fiscal impact statement prepared by the Arkansas Department of Education, the bill was projected to have no fiscal impact on state funds.

Legislative Timeline

  • April 01, 2025: Bill filed.
  • April 02, 2025: Read for the first time, rules suspended, and referred to the House Education Committee.
  • April 07, 2025: Returned by the Committee with a "Do Pass" recommendation.
  • April 08, 2025: Read a third time, passed in the House, and transmitted to the Senate.
  • April 09, 2025: Received in the Senate, read for the first time, and referred to the Senate Education Committee.
  • April 15, 2025: Motion to extract the bill from committee failed.
  • May 05, 2025: Bill died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.

Conclusion

While HB 1946 aimed to enhance the educational curriculum regarding human growth and development in Arkansas public schools, it ultimately did not progress past the Senate Committee stage. The bill's intent to provide comprehensive education on these topics reflects ongoing discussions about health education in schools.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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