Florida lawmakers are revisiting the issue of what students learn about fetal development in schools. State Senator Erin Grall, a Republican from Vero Beach, has introduced legislation that would require middle and high school students to watch videos depicting the growth of an embryo from conception to birth as part of their health education.
A similar proposal was previously debated in the state House in 2025 but faced criticism for allegedly promoting anti-abortion views. The House sponsor, Representative Dana Trabulsy, later removed the video requirement from her bill after these concerns were raised.
Grall, who also sponsored Florida’s six-week abortion ban in the past, has included this provision in a new 52-page education bill (SB 1090). The bill would also require parents to provide written consent before their children can participate in lessons on reproductive health and diseases such as HIV/AIDS. This approach would replace current laws that allow parents to opt out if they do not want their children to take part.
School officials have previously expressed concern that requiring parental consent might leave some students without access to important information if parents do not respond.
In addition to the provisions on health education, Grall’s bill proposes several other changes. It seeks to clarify language regarding how schools provide epinephrine for students with allergic reactions and shortens the period a noncompliant prekindergarten provider may be removed from eligibility for state Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) funding. The bill would also require districts to establish comprehensive mathematics instruction systems and prohibit spending state or federal funds on programs or activities that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, or political or social activism.
The legislation is one of eight education-related bills filed on Monday. Grall has also put forward another measure that would prevent undocumented immigrants from attending public universities in Florida.
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