Relating To Growth And Development In Sexuality Health Education Curriculum.
Summary
HB899 would require state-funded health programs and sexuality health education programs in Hawaii to include a “human growth and development discussion” focused on fetal development. The bill specifies that the required instruction must include a high-definition ultrasound video of at least three minutes showing early fetal development of major organs, as well as a computer-generated animation depicting fertilization and weekly stages of human development in the uterus through birth.
The measure also directs the superintendent of education to ensure these requirements are incorporated into Hawaii’s health content and sexual health education standards. It defines “human growth and development discussion” broadly to include oral, written, or digital lessons about pregnancy and development inside the womb, and defines “sexuality health education” to include education on pregnancy, family planning, and sexually transmitted diseases. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2025.
Impact
If enacted, HB899 would amend Chapter 321 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes by adding a new section requiring specific fetal-development content in state-funded health and sexuality education programs. It would impose curriculum requirements on public education and other state-funded health programs, and would give the Department of Education responsibility for aligning statewide standards with the new mandate. The bill would affect schools, curriculum developers, and educators by requiring inclusion of prescribed visual materials and content.
Sentiment
The bill text frames the proposal as a medically accurate, science-based addition to sexual health education intended to reduce high-risk sexual behavior. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of legislative debate or formal support/opposition in the available record. Based on the bill’s findings, its stated purpose is strongly supportive of expanded instruction on fetal development.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the bill’s requirement that sexuality health education include specific fetal-development videos and animations, which may be viewed by some as a medically informative addition and by others as an ideological or value-laden curriculum mandate. Another possible area of dispute is the breadth of the definitions, which could require the same content across a wide range of health and sexuality education settings. Because no hearing transcript or vote history is available, the record does not identify which legislators, agencies, or public groups raised objections or support.