Arkansas Now Requires Schools to Teach Human Development in the Womb

by Nicole Hunt | April 29, 2025 | Education

Last week, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a bill requiring that public school students learn about human development in the womb.

This new law is part of a broader trend among more conservative states to include detailed fetal development into education standards and school curricula and it’s a positive move that’s reflective of the ongoing culture war over abortion.

SB 450 requires Arkansas Department of Education to change its academic standards to include discussions on human fetal growth and development.

The bill aims to educate students on the biological truths of human development from conception to birth.

The measure was passed with overwhelming support in the State House (vote of 81-13) and State Senate (vote of 26-6).

Key provisions require that the content include:

  • “A high-definition ultrasound that shows the brain, heart, sex organs, and other vital organs in early fetal development”
  • “The process of fertilization and every stage of human development inside the uterus, including a discussion that notes significant markers in cell growth and organ development for every significant marker of pregnancy until birth.”

Proponents of the measure, including Arkansas’ Family Council, celebrated the new law, saying this would give public school students a window into the womb and an opportunity to learn about preborn babies.

According to the bill’s language, the Department of Education will work with the Department of Health to determine age-appropriate material for discussions.

Six other states have passed similar legislation requiring academic standards be added to teach students about human development in the womb, including Iowa, Idaho, Oklahoma, Tennessee, North Dakota and Kansas.

Four of those states passed legislation in the last few months.

All of these legislative efforts share common elements:

  • Requiring schools to teach about fetal development in the womb, often including visual materials.
  • Generally targeting students from 5th grade through 12th grade.

Not surprising, the ACLU of Arkansas opposed the bill, calling it “egregious” and suggested that it would threaten “reproductive rights.”

Under current law, Arkansas protects life in the womb beginning at conception with an exception to save the life of the mother. At present, there are no licensed abortion clinics in the state.

We applaud the state of Arkansas for its efforts to educate the next generation of mothers and fathers about the biological truth of human life in the womb.

It’s time to encourage lawmakers in every state to pass similar legislation.

Image from Getty.