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REFERENCE TITLE: 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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HB 2830 |
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Introduced by Representative Keshel
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AN ACT
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 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.