Bill No. 1603 mandates the inclusion of a human growth and development curriculum in Oklahoma public schools. This curriculum must cover topics such as human biology related to pregnancy, fetal development, and include visual aids like a high-definition ultrasound video and a computer-generated animation of fetal growth. School districts are required to provide this curriculum to students only if their parents or legal guardians complete an opt-in permission form, which must be distributed two weeks prior to the instruction. The curriculum can be integrated into existing courses or taught as a separate course.
Additionally, the bill stipulates that to graduate with a standard diploma from an accredited public high school, students in grades nine through twelve must receive this human growth and development instruction unless their parent or guardian opts out or the student has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for a significant cognitive disability. The instruction is to be incorporated into health or science education and aligned with state academic content standards. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.