South Dakota House Passes Bill Requiring Schools to Show Prenatal Development Videos

The legislation now heads to the state Senate after a debate colored by views on abortion

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Republican-controlled South Dakota House of Representatives voted 52-10 to advance a bill that would require public schools in the state to teach students about prenatal human growth and development using recommended resources, including high-definition ultrasound videos and computer-generated animations. The bill's sponsor says the videos will show 'the miracle of life', but opponents raised concerns about the medical accuracy of the materials and the standardization of the curriculum across the state.

Why it matters

This legislation is part of a broader debate around abortion rights and education in the state. South Dakota is one of six states that currently require prenatal development education, and the passage of this bill would further cement the state's stance against abortion access. The accuracy and objectivity of the instructional materials are key concerns, as they could impact how students understand reproductive health.

The details

The bill requires schools to use resources recommended by the state Board of Education Standards, including a 'high-definition ultrasound video' showing the development of the brain, heart, and other major organs during prenatal development, as well as another ultrasound video or computer-generated rendering showing the progress of prenatal development from fertilization through birth. The videos must be at least three minutes long, and any teaching materials cannot be produced or provided by organizations that promote or perform abortions.

  • The Republican-dominated state House of Representatives voted 52-10 to advance the bill on February 13, 2026.
  • The bill's next stop is a state Senate committee.

The players

Rep. Tony Kayser

The Republican sponsor of the bill, who texted a video to lawmakers that would fit the bill's requirements.

Rep. Erin Healy

A Democratic representative who critiqued the video for measuring gestation from fertilization instead of the last menstrual period, which is the obstetrics standard.

Live Action

An anti-abortion group that has advocated for a similar law using its 'Baby Olivia' video, which critics say is misleading and contains medical inaccuracies.

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What they’re saying

“I hope you had a chance to watch the video. It kind of hits around the miracle of life and how important it is that we actually educate our youth on life.”

— Rep. Tony Kayser (South Dakota Searchlight)

“I am all about showing proper videos in schools with proper context. I'm worried that we're going to confuse students about medical texts and standard clinical language. It's really important that if we're going to teach this in classes, we're doing it correctly.”

— Rep. Erin Healy (South Dakota Searchlight)

What’s next

The bill will next be considered by a state Senate committee before potentially becoming law.

The takeaway

This legislation is part of the ongoing debate around abortion rights and education in South Dakota, with concerns raised about the medical accuracy and objectivity of the instructional materials that would be used in schools. The passage of this bill would further solidify the state's stance against abortion access, underscoring the need for balanced and factual reproductive health education.