Idaho Governor Signs Law Requiring Students to Learn About Fetal Development
Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed a bill into law on Thursday requiring public school students to learn about human development in the womb, making Idaho the third state to implement such a pro-life curriculum.
The new law, which includes the use of resources like Live Action’s “Baby Olivia” video, has sparked both praise and debate as 19 other states consider similar measures.
The legislation, known as the Human Growth and Development Instruction in Public Schools Act (Senate Bill 1046), mandates that students in grades five through 12 receive instruction on fetal development, including the growth of the brain, heart, and other vital organs in early stages. The curriculum will use scientifically accurate materials, such as ultrasound videos and animations, which may include Live Action’s “Baby Olivia” project—a medically accurate animation depicting human life from fertilization through various developmental stages.
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Lila Rose, founder and president of Live Action, celebrated the signing on X, calling it a “big win for truth, science, and life.”
Rose noted that North Dakota and Tennessee already have similar laws in place, and 19 other states are considering adopting comparable measures this year.
“This is a significant step toward equipping Idaho’s students with accurate, necessary, and scientifically accurate information regarding human life in the womb,” Rose said in a press release.
The law aims to foster a deeper understanding of prenatal development and instill respect for life from conception, supporters say.
Idaho Rep. Heather Scott, a key advocate for the bill, said she was motivated to support the legislation after her niece told her that fetal development models of preborn babies were “not true” because she had learned in school that a baby in the womb is “nothing more than a clump of cells.” After the bill’s signing, Scott said, “I am so proud of Idaho legislators and look forward to fostering a culture of life in our children.”
North Dakota passed a similar law in 2023, followed by Tennessee. States like Missouri, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Iowa are among those considering comparable proposals.
In Iowa, a bill advanced in January 2024 would require schools to show fetal development videos in health and human growth classes, though it has faced concerns about mandating specific curricula.
The “Baby Olivia” video, produced by Live Action, provides an animated glimpse of human life from fertilization, detailing developmental milestones such as the formation of a beating heart, brainwaves, fingers, and toes. The project also highlights a fetus’s ability to recognize parents’ voices, respond to light, and develop a sense of smell, according to the Live Action website.
The signing of the bill in Idaho marks a growing movement to incorporate fetal development education into public school curricula, with advocates hoping it will create a cultural shift toward valuing life at all stages. “With North Dakota, Tennessee, and now Idaho leading the way, we urge the remaining 47 states to follow their bold example,” Rose said.
The law will take effect in Idaho schools starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. It remains to be seen how the curriculum will be received by students, parents, and educators, and whether other states will follow suit in the coming months.
