Arizona schools would teach prenatal development in science class, without sex education topics

The state board of education would choose the grade levels and adopt science standards that require lessons on fetal and prenatal development. The lessons must be age-appropriate, factual, and focused only on prenatal human development as a biological process, and must be added to the science competency requirements. Lessons must cover how a human develops from a single cell before birth, including fertilization, early cell growth, and implantation. They must cover the germinal, embryonic, and fetal stages, milestones like the brain, heart, and limbs, and supporting structures such as the amniotic sac, placenta, and umbilical cord. They must also cover general biological factors that support healthy prenatal development.

The lessons could not include sexual activity, sexual behavior, contraception, abortion procedures, or reproductive decision-making. This applies to the instruction required by the new section. The lessons must be descriptive and age-appropriate. The instruction is not sex education, so it could not be treated as sex education for parental consent or opt-out rules.