Pennsylvania HB 606: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for early human life development education.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 614
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 606
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY HAMM, KAUFFMAN, SCHEUREN, ROWE, ZIMMERMAN, KRUPA,
RAPP, M. BROWN, LEADBETER AND BARGER, FEBRUARY 12, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 12, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in terms and courses of study,
providing for early human life development education.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 1556. Early Human Life Development Education.--(a)
(1) Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, each school
entity shall provide early human life development instruction to
students. The early human life development instruction shall be
integrated within the biology courses of study required in
accordance with the State Board of Education regulations.
(2) The early human life development instruction under
paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum, include:
(i) An ultrasound video at least five minutes in length
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showing human development of the brain, heart, sex organs and
other vital organs at the following intervals:
(A) Eight (8) weeks' gestational age.
(B) Twelve (12) weeks' gestational age.
(C) Seventeen (17) weeks' gestational age.
(D) Twenty-two (22) weeks' gestational age.
(E) Twenty-seven (27) weeks' gestational age.
(F) Thirty-two (32) weeks' gestational age.
(G) Thirty-seven (37) weeks' gestational age.
(ii) A presentation of a high-quality, computer-generated,
animated rendering, showing the process of fertilization and
every stage of human development inside the uterus, noting
significant markers in cell growth and organ development for
every significant marker of pregnancy until birth.
(b) As used in this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Early human life development instruction." Any oral,
written or digital lesson, lecture or presentation intended to
educate students on topics about human biology before birth,
including pregnancy and human development during pregnancy.
"Gestational age." The age of an unborn child as calculated
from the first day of the last menstrual period of the pregnant
woman.
"School entity." A school district, intermediate unit,
charter school, cyber charter school or regional charter school.
"Ultrasound video." A video produced through the use of an
ultrasound machine which is of sufficient quality to be used in
determining gestational age.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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