28-01-2025
Bill filed to show Baby Olivia gestation video in Arkansas health classrooms
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A bill filed in the Arkansas legislature aims to show a video called 'Meet Baby Olivia' in Arkansas health classrooms.
The video takes viewers through fetal development. Some say it is scientifically accurate, while others say it's misleading.
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The bill wants to include human growth and development discussion in Arkansas health classrooms. The bill's lead sponsor is Rep. Mary Bentley (R-Perryville).
'It's a three-minute thing, very easy, no cost to our schools,' Bentley said.
If the legislation becomes law, students beginning in the fifth grade will view the video made by the anti-abortion organization Live Action.
The legislation would impact students in public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in the state.
'So, it just shows, each week what they can do, when the heart starts, when the arms their arms and limbs develop,' Bentley said.
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Gennie Diaz executive director of For AR people, believes this video is misleading.
'We see it as a Trojan horse of indoctrination,' Diaz said, adding that the timeline of the fetus development in the video is off.
'There is also a lot of pushback from medical experts that agree that this is a political agenda, not necessary just scientific evidence-based stuff materials for our kids,' Diaz said.
Bentley said the video has been backed scientifically.
'I've had colleagues [ask], 'Why this video?' 'Why show this video?' because it's already been through the ringer, already been through court cases to make sure it's scientifically accurate,' Bentley said.
The bill also has a sexual education piece to it for schools that offer sex education in school-based health clinics that would include the Baby Olivia video.
Bentley said this comes at no cost to schools, and Live Action's name will be excluded from the video.
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The bill is expected to be discussed in committee soon.
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