House Bill No. 3739 mandates that the State Board of Education implement new rules requiring students in grades 7 through 12 to receive instruction on fetal development and the consequences of fetal termination as part of the public school health curriculum. This instruction will include information on medically assisted fetal termination procedures, other acts of intentional or negligent fetal termination, the growth and development of an unborn child during pregnancy, and available pregnancy-related resources that support carrying a child to term. Notably, the resources provided must not be associated with organizations that advocate for fetal termination procedures.

The bill specifies that the new curriculum requirements will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year. It also includes provisions for immediate enactment if it receives a two-thirds majority vote from both houses of the legislature; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 28.002 (Education Code 28)