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House Engrossed
fetal and prenatal development; instruction |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-seventh Legislature Second Regular Session 2026
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HOUSE BILL 2830 |
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AN ACT
amending title 15, chapter 1, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 15-115.02; amending title 15, chapter 7, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 15-712.02; relating to school curricula.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 15, chapter 1, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 15-115.02, to read:
15-115.02. Health education instruction; prohibitions; withholding of state monies; definitions
A. A PUBLIC SCHOOL MAY NOT ALLOW AN ABORTION PROVIDER OR A MEDICAL FACILITY OR ORGANIZATION THAT REFERS PATIENTS TO AN ABORTION clinic TO do any of the following:
1. PROVIDE HEALTH EDUCATION INSTRUCTION IN THE SCHOOL.
2. PROVIDE HEALTH EDUCATION INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS OR CURRICULA TO THE SCHOOL OR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES.
3. DISTRIBUTE OR DISPLAY ANY HEALTH EDUCATION MATERIALS OR MEDIA IN THE SCHOOL IF THE MATERIALS OR MEDIA ARE CREATED, PAID FOR OR DONATED BY THE ABORTION PROVIDER OR BEAR AN IDENTIFYING MARK OF THE ABORTION PROVIDER.
B. IF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DETERMINES THAT A PUBLIC SCHOOL IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH SUBSECTION A OF THIS SECTION AND IF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FAILS TO CORRECT THE noncompliance WITHIN NINETY DAYS AFTER RECEIVING NOTICE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION MAY WITHHOLD ANY PORTION OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL'S APPORTIONMENT OF STATE AID FROM THE DATE OF THE DETERMINATION OF NONCOMPLIANCE UNTIL THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DETERMINES THAT THE PUBLIC SCHOOL IS COMPLYING WITH SUBSECTION A OF THIS SECTION.
C. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
1. "Abortion clinic" has the same meaning prescribed in section 36-449.01.
2. "ABORTION PROVIDER" INCLUDES:
(a) AN ABORTION CLINIC.
(b) Any ENTITY THAT CONTROLS, IS CONTROLLED BY OR IS UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH AN ABORTION CLINIC.
(c) Any eNTITY THAT IS A PARTY TO A FRANCHISING, LICENSING OR SIMILAR AGREEMENT WITH AN ABORTION CLINIC.
(d) Any INDIVIDUAL WHO IS ACTING AS AN EMPLOYEE OR REPRESENTATIVE OF AN ENTITY DESCRIBED IN subdivision (a) (b) or (c) of this PARAGRAPH.
Sec. 2. Title 15, chapter 7, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 15-712.02, to read:
15-712.02. Instruction on fetal development; requirements; parental notice and opt out
A. The state board of education shall:
1. Determine the grade level or levels in which instruction on fetal and prenatal development is appropriate.
2. Adopt academic standards in the area of science that require instruction on fetal and prenatal human development that is consistent with the requirements prescribed in this section and that is age-appropriate, factual and focused on only prenatal human development as a biological process.
3. Include instruction on fetal and prenatal human development in the competency requirements prescribed pursuant to section 15-701 or 15-701.01, or both, in the area of science.
4. Require that instruction provided pursuant to this section include an overview of all of the following:
(a) Prenatal human development that explains the biological process by which a human develops from a single cell, through successive stages, before birth.
(b) Fertilization and early cellular development, including:
(i) The formation of a zygote through the union of human reproductive cells.
(ii) Early cell division and growth.
(iii) The development of a blastocyst.
(iv) Implantation of the blastocyst into the uterine wall.
(c) The stages of prenatal development, including an overview of all of the following:
(i) the germinal stage that describes early development from the time of fertilization until the time of implantation.
(ii) The embryonic stage that describes the early structural formation, including the development of foundational tissues and early organ systems.
(iii) The fetal stage that describes the growth and maturation of organs and body systems from approximately the ninth week of development until birth.
(d) Major developmental milestones, including:
(i) The formation of the brain and spinal cord.
(ii) The development of the heart and circulatory system.
(iii) The formation of limbs, facial features and other identifiable human structures.
(iv) Ongoing growth and maturation of organs during the fetal stage.
(e) Supporting biological structures that are necessary for development, including:
(i) The amniotic sac and amniotic fluid and their protective functions.
(ii) The placenta and its role in providing nutrients and oxygen and removing waste.
(iii) The umbilical cord and its function as a connection between the fetus and the placenta.
(f) General principles of healthy prenatal development, including only biological and physiological factors that support normal growth and organ development.
5. Require that instruction provided pursuant to this section meet both of the following:
(a) Be descriptive and age appropriate.
(b) Not include instruction on sexual activity, sexual behavior, contraception, abortion procedures or reproductive decision-making.
B. Instruction required by this section is not sex education and may not be classified as sex education for the purposes of parental consent or opt-out requirements prescribed by this title.