The "Baby Olivia Act" mandates that public school students in grades 6 through 12, as well as college and university students in New Hampshire, must view a video demonstrating gestational development as part of their health and wellness education. The bill introduces a new section, RSA 193-E:3-g, requiring schools to show either a high-definition ultrasound video or the "Meet Baby Olivia" video developed by Live Action. Schools must provide proof of compliance to the Department of Education annually, which will conduct audits to ensure adherence. Additionally, students admitted to the University System of New Hampshire or the Community College System of New Hampshire on or after January 1, 2026, must show proof of having viewed the video to graduate.
The bill also grants the Attorney General the authority to enforce compliance and allows for legal action against any entity that violates the requirements. While the legislation does not allocate funding for its implementation, it is expected to increase operational costs for educational institutions, with an estimated annual increase of approximately $135,000 to cover the costs of three non-benefitted, half-time administrative positions at each of the three USNH institutions. The bill imposes new obligations on these institutions regarding student graduation requirements, affecting around 4,200 students annually, and necessitating a reasonable allocation of resources to ensure compliance.