Des Moines, Iowa (RI) — The Iowa House has changed a Senate-passed bill that would require showing videos about pregnancy and fetal development to students in high school and earlier grades.
One change would forbid schools from using educational materials that come from any entity that promotes or performs abortions or makes referrals for abortions. Representative Helena Hayes of New Sharon and other House Republicans approved that restriction, which would target Planned Parenthood.
Representative Austin Baeth, a Democrat from Des Moines, says that restriction means Iowa schools would not be able to use material from places like the Mayo Clinic.
Last year, the Iowa House approved similar legislation that called for showing the “Baby Olivia” video developed by an anti-abortion group. This year’s bill does not directly mention the video, but calls for showing a high-quality, computer-generated animation to students in grades four through eight. Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, a Democrat from Ames, says that’s clearly a reference to the Baby Olivia video.
Hayes responded.
The bill now goes back to the Senate for consideration of the House changes.
