IA
Iowa Senate Bill SSB1028

Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SSB1028

Introduced
1/21/25  

Caption

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.)

Impact

If enacted, SSB1028 will significantly alter the educational content provided to Iowa students, ensuring that they receive integrated information about human growth and fetal development as part of their health and human development curriculum. This may foster greater awareness among students regarding pregnancy and the biological aspects of human development, helping to shape their understanding of health-related issues from a young age. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions meant to ensure that the information is medically accurate and unbiased, aiming to reflect scientific consensus and ethical considerations.

Summary

SSB1028 aims to revise the educational curriculum related to human growth and development by mandating the incorporation of information on pregnancy and fetal development in grades one through twelve across various educational institutions in Iowa, including school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools. The bill requires that the health curriculum contain age-appropriate and research-based information about human development, particularly focusing on stages of fetal development. This includes the use of ultrasound videos and animations depicting prenatal human development and significant markers throughout pregnancy.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SSB1028 may arise from differing views on the appropriateness of teaching fetal development at a young age, with some critics arguing that it could lead to controversial moral and ethical discussions in the classroom. Proponents may contend that providing comprehensive and factual information about human development is essential for educating young students. There could also be debates regarding the interpretation and implementation of 'research-based' information within the educational standards, potentially leading to discussions on what constitutes unbiased educational material. Overall, the bill is likely to prompt discussions about the balance between educational content and parental rights in shaping curriculum.

Latest SSB1028 Activity

Companion Bills

IA HF76

Replaced by 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 SF175

Replaced by 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 four through twelve. (Formerly SSB 1028.)

Similar Bills

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 four through twelve. (Formerly SSB 1028.)

IA HF851

A bill for an act relating to student nutrition, including by modifying the curricula provided to students enrolled in kindergarten through grade twelve to include instruction related to nutrition, modifying provisions related to the agriculture, food, and natural resources component of the career and technical education instruction provided to students enrolled in grades nine through twelve, and modifying provisions related to school meal programs, and including effective date and applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 173.)

IA SF525

A bill for an act relating to student nutrition, including by modifying the curricula provided to students enrolled in kindergarten through grade twelve to include instruction related to nutrition, modifying provisions related to the agriculture, food, and natural resources component of the career and technical education instruction provided to students enrolled in grades nine through twelve, and modifying provisions related to school meal programs, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SSB 1158.)

IA HSB173

A bill for an act relating to student nutrition, including by modifying the curricula provided to students enrolled in kindergarten through grade twelve to include instruction related to nutrition, modifying provisions related to the agriculture, food, and natural resources component of the career and technical education instruction provided to students enrolled in grades nine through twelve, and modifying provisions related to school meal programs, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 851.)

IA SSB1158

A bill for an act relating to student nutrition, including by modifying the curricula provided to students enrolled in kindergarten through grade twelve to include instruction related to nutrition, modifying provisions related to the agriculture, food, and natural resources component of the career and technical education instruction provided to students enrolled in grades nine through twelve, and modifying provisions related to school meal programs, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 525.)

AZ SB1502

Literacy endorsement; curricula; special education

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 HSB84

A bill for an act prohibiting school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools from providing any program, curriculum, test, survey, questionnaire, promotion, or instruction relating to gender identity or sexual orientation to students in grades seven through twelve.