(The Lion) — Several red states are considering “Baby Olivia” laws, which would require public schools to show scientifically accurate videos of fetal development to students.
According to Utah’s HB 315, for example, during human development instruction students would be shown a “high-definition video of at least three minutes” depicting fertilization and each stage of development, noting “significant markers of cell growth and organ development for every stage of pregnancy until birth.”
Additionally, schools may also show a video of an ultrasound.
HB 315 was inspired by the animated “Baby Olivia” video, produced by the pro-life group Live Action.
“With scientific accuracy, this video depicts the moment human life begins and beyond to show the humanity of preborn children throughout each stage of human development,” Live Action says.
As the video gained popularity, multiple states have added a requirement for fetal development videos to be shown in classrooms, including North Dakota, Tennessee, Kansas, Idaho, Indiana and Iowa.
The South Dakota Legislature is also weighing a Baby Olivia bill, HB 1313.
“[It] hits around the miracle of life and how important it is that we actually educate our youth on life,” said Rep. Tony Kayser, R-Sioux Falls, one of the bill’s 31 sponsors.
The bill’s language is similar to Utah’s, but it specifies an additional requirement that instruction on prenatal development cannot include any materials by any group that performs, promotes or is affiliated with abortion.
“If it’s a science-based video, and it is, why would you want Planned Parenthood or abortion-minded organizations to influence the process of science?” Kayser asked during a committee hearing.
So far, HB 1313 has easily passed the House and Senate committee and awaits a vote from the full Senate.
Ohio is another state with a Baby Olivia Act in the works.
With 35 Republican sponsors, HB 485 passed the Ohio House and is awaiting approval from the Senate.
“The House’s passage of the Baby Olivia Act is an important affirmation that Ohio values strong, science-based education,” said State Rep. Melanie Miller, R-Ashland, the bill’s lead sponsor.
“This bill gives students a clearer understanding of early human development, and I’m grateful for my colleagues’ support in making this meaningful step forward for our classrooms.”
