Meeting Public Comments

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A bill for an act incorporating provisions related to pregnancy and fetal development into the human growth and development and health curriculum provided by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to students enrolled in grades seven through twelve.(Formerly HF 2031.)
Subcommittee members: Taylor, J.-CH, Quirmbach, Salmon
Date: Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Time: 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Room G15
Comments Submitted:
The purpose of comments is to provide information to members of the subcommittee.
Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

03-11-2024
Patsy Martinson []
Regarding HF 2617, quit harming children with false information that is propaganda and not based in known science.You purport to protect children, but you do the opposite.
03-11-2024
Brenda Curran []
When did you stop trusting educators? They need supported not undermined with your propaganda. Your own version of indoctrination is seen for exactly what it is. Your religious agenda has no place in the public education system. You seem confused on what is good for the children of Iowa.You are perpetuating cruelty and harm to our beloved children. Stop being so mean and bulling the educators of this state.If you are using this as an economic development opportunity, you are delusional.No company will want to be in a state that forces children to watch videos that is not based in science. You need to get a grip on reality and understand this is not going to be ok with your constituents.Again your religious beliefs do not belong in our schools.
03-11-2024
Mike Keer []
Why are doctors and scientific information not being used? Making up things makes this fiction and should be treated as such. Trust teachers to teach and use facts that are age appropriate.
03-11-2024
Alison Cocks []
I am against HF 2617. The use of a video showing inaccurate medical information and terminology has no place in the classroom. Accurate curriculum is important for any instruction.
03-11-2024
Mary Hoffman []
Is it possible that you still see the world as flat? That Hitler did not indoctrinate Germanyouth? That Russia and China are the only countries peddling propaganda? That Iowa women do notsee HF2617 as propaganda to indoctrinate Iowa youth? Or that Iowa women will not vote on Reproductive Health issues? Vote against HF2617.
03-11-2024
Barbara Gronstal []
Please vote against this bill.
03-11-2024
Destini Hoth []
Im not sure what is going on with republicans in this state but this is an absolute horrible, misleading, incorrect use of propaganda in our schools. I would never let my children watch this misinformation. This video is misleading & has false information in it. It shows incorrect visuals of what a fetus looks like at certain developmental stages, is grossly inaccurate, and contradictory to science. If we are teaching this in schools then it must be accurate & truthful. This just pushes an antiabortion narrative from Live Action. I send my children to school so they receive correct & scientific knowledge not for politicians to push an agenda. Vote No
03-11-2024
Leslie Mooney []
The Baby Olivia movie depicts deceitful information about the development of life stages and would be shown to students across the state of Iowa. It isn't accurate or medically grounded. We need to make sure that the information our kids learn in school is medically accurate, scientifically sound, and that students can trust their teachers and their textbooks. If we don't care about that, what are we saying to students? To many in the medical community this is propaganda for one party to push their prolife agenda. Live Action, the group responsible for the movie, said "it worked with six medical professionals to create the animation. Most are affiliated with rightleaning, Christian or prolife groups, including the American Association of ProLife Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American College of Pediatricians, a small group of conservative doctors that has tried to shape policies on abortion by promoting views rejected by the medical establishment as scientific fact." This bill is inappropriate and should not be passed.
03-11-2024
Jenelle Jensen []
This is the reason politicians are ruining children. Vote No. Come on Iowa, DO BETTER.
03-11-2024
Lori Vanlo []
This bill is ridiculous. Coming from the party that takes away women's autonomy and bans books that teach people accurate information.... the hypocrisy to actually be the ones showing misinformation and actually trying to indoctrinate kids doesn't come as a surprise. This bill is unnecessary and actually dangerous with how wrong the information is.
03-11-2024
Candella Foley- Finchem []
Of course this video is inaccurate, and of course legislators ought to leave teaching to the teachers as they are the ones who best know, but leaving all that aside, this video wool be outdated in a matter of a few years, and we all know how kids stop watching outdated videos, so if you insist on including baby Olivia disinformation, change the language to "May" so that schools can replace it with newer info as it becomes outdated.
03-11-2024
Morgan Vest []
Schools should not be teaching propaganda. This is an irresponsible bill meant to normalize taking autonomy away from women.
03-11-2024
Lori Hunt []
Please shelve this bill. Let's keep medically accurate and factual information on sex education in our schools. From folks who are concerned about politics in schools, you have a way either creeping in your own agenda. Let's just stick with facts.
03-11-2024
Deb Hansen []
I am totally opposed to this bill, HF 2617. This video is laced with false information and is biased. Our children will be removed from the classroom and taught the correct information.
03-11-2024
Julie Biddle- Zaugg []
Information given to students should be accurate. "Baby Olivia" is not.
03-11-2024
JOHN CARR []
Whoever wrote this bill apparently still believes that storks deliver children! This is blatant misinformation, is not accurate, and denies the rights of parents to teach their children about reproduction. Vote this bill down! It's not needed.
03-11-2024
Cynthia Juhl []
Vote no on HF 2617. Students deserve accurate facts.
03-11-2024
Joan Peterson []
Please vote NO on HF 2617. This film is not medically accurate. And we want what our children learn to be factually accurate, dont we? I know that I do!!And how about you leave curriculum to the experts while you are at it! Teachers dont need to be micro managed!Thank you.
03-11-2024
STACY VOLMER []
Please vote NO on HF 2617! This is not medically accurate. I do not want my childrens educational time taken up with propaganda.
03-11-2024
Colleen Knipper []
Please do not pass this bill. This video is not scientifically based, and forces a religious view upon all schools/students. Please allow our teachers to continue to use their professional curriculum and experience to teach facts. Parents have always had the right to opt their own children out of any lessons they do not want their own children to participate in.
03-11-2024
Debbi Washburn []
This is horrible! What is wrong with anyone wanting to push this agenda. You do know as a woman I find this so offensive and inaccurate. You better think about what you propose and pass.this is a definite no vote for me!
03-11-2024
Kathy Graeve []
I oppose this bill because it has false information. Doctors are shocked at the inaccuracies and the overstep of the legislature. Students have access to information and will know it is propaganda. Stop this bill now.
03-11-2024
Jean Swenson []
As a person of faith, I ask that you do not bring HF2617 to the Senate floor. The teaching of human growth and development must be rooted in fact and truths. The 3minute "Baby Olivia" video is anything BUT fact based and rooted in truths. My husband, a retired high school biology teacher, was unable to sleep after watching the video. He was extremely bothered that you would think showing a video in which the terminology is wrong, and the facts are incorrect, has a place in school curriculum at any level! Professionals know how to teach human growth and development, and they know how to do so in an ageappropriate manner for their students. The Iowa Legislature should not be dictating human growth and development curriculum, especially when it is based on inaccuracies and falsehoods.Thank you for your consideration.Jean SwensonWaukee(515) 3937251
03-11-2024
Elizabeth Estling []
Please vote no. I do think that this is very cool information in theory, but it's not medically accurate. We should all be striving for the truth at all times even if it disagrees with what we believe. I also don't understand why we have to require teachers to do anything like a single video. We should trust our teachers they are the professionals here. Please vote no to incorrect science.
03-11-2024
R. Wines []
Please vote no on this bill. Students deserve to be provided with accurate medical information for their education so they can make rational decisions as citizens and individuals.
03-11-2024
Julie McCarty []
No, no, no. This bill is totally unnecessary and very dangerous with how wrong the information is.
03-11-2024
Rhonda King []
I am totally opposed to this bill, HF 2617. This video is laced with false information and is biased. My grandchildren will be removed from the classroom and taught the correct information. I cant believe the Iowa school teachers are going to be forced to spread lies. Please vote NO and make Iowa a place people dont ridicule.
03-11-2024
Brittania Morey []
I am opposed to this bill. The curriculum used to teach our children must be medically and scientifically accurate. This video is pure propaganda and has no place in our classrooms.As a parent I would never approve of my child being taught with videos like this. Stop meddling with education. Curriculum should be determined by educators and subjectmatter experts.Vote no to this bill. It should move no further.
03-11-2024
Nicole Mohler []
This propaganda has no place in our classrooms. There is absolutely no way I will allow my children to participate in viewing this. The knowledge that this is even something being entertained, pushes me a little further to leaving this state. Im born and raised here, a once proud Iowan. Now, I am embarrassed of our state, and deeply disheartened at what its become. Vote no. Do better.
03-11-2024
Jo Davis []
Vote NO. This video is not medically correct and is pure propaganda. How dare you push your agenda upon our children
03-11-2024
Kelsey Bowers []
Vote no
03-11-2024
Jill Purcell []
Please vote no on this bill. Precious school time shouldnt be spent on scientifically inaccurate videos made by a special interest group. If parents want to show their children this, that is their right but you shouldnt force this kind of propaganda on children without their parents consent. We have much more important things to be doing in school. Also, you are turning potential teachers away by forcing them to show this false video.
03-11-2024
Karla Goertzen []
Please vote against this. There are inaccuracies in the material. It is atrocious to have some pushing their agenda and using false information to do so.
03-11-2024
Bridget Montgomery []
This video has been demonstrated to contain inaccurate information. You would be doing Iowans a disservice by requiring it to be taught.
03-11-2024
Karla Goertzen []
Please vote against this. There are inaccuracies in the material. It is atrocious to have some pushing their agenda and using false information to do so.
03-11-2024
Rachel Henning []
I oppose this bill and urge you to vote "No." Our students deserve factual and accurate information, not harmful propaganda.
03-12-2024
Ruth Henderson []
I am a retired science teacher who taught Human Growth and Development for 41 years. This bill proposes the teaching of scientifically inaccurate information. If a video is being mandated, why not let the professionals in the educational and medical communities pick a video that is accurate and not misleading rather than one that has been produced by an antiabortion group. This bill should go no further. Vote NO.
03-12-2024
Lisa Locker []
Vote no! Medically inaccurate propaganda should never be shown in schools. A video made and backed by an antiabortion organization should never be forced on children.
03-12-2024
Paula Blake []
HF 2617 This video is a form of grooming. Vote against the obscene use of misinformation.
03-12-2024
Tiffany DeBow []
Stop trying to parent my children for me. Stop trying to indoctrinate my kids into believing what the state wants then to believe.
03-12-2024
Leah Greif []
Stop this ridiculous, inaccurate propaganda from non medical sources. If I had children still in school, I would pull them out.Looks like I'm in the majority in comments, so please listen to the majority for once! I hate what the republican legislators are doing to this state!
03-12-2024
Leah Greif []
Stop this ridiculous, inaccurate propaganda from non medical sources. If I had children still in school, I would pull them out.Looks like I'm in the majority in comments, so please listen to the majority for once! I hate what the republican legislators are doing to this state!
03-12-2024
Leah Greif []
Stop this ridiculous, inaccurate propaganda from non medical sources. If I had children still in school, I would pull them out.Looks like I'm in the majority in comments, so please listen to the majority for once! I hate what the republican legislators are doing to this state!
03-12-2024
Leah Greif []
Stop this ridiculous, inaccurate propaganda from non medical sources. If I had children still in school, I would pull them out.Looks like I'm in the majority in comments, so please listen to the majority for once! I hate what the republican legislators are doing to this state!
03-12-2024
Kristen Mead []
Vote no! This is completely false and inaccurate propaganda. Doctors have already spoken put against this movie and it has no place in our schools!
03-12-2024
Ellen Heywood []
The fact that these comments (which are ALL against the proposed legislation) are from women should tell you something. Legislating mandatory dissemination of scientifically inaccurate information about reproduction is not what women or teachers want. Vote NO!
03-12-2024
Matthew McIver []
This bill is another example of government overreach. The legislature should be funding and supporting our school teachers and educators. Mandating that deceptive and in accurate information be shared in the schools is not the job of our legislators. Our children should be taught the fundamentals of science, not political propaganda.
03-12-2024
Pat Hoffman [NA]
I am strongly opposed to bill 2617 because it has false information and is politically based. Our children need truthful information instead of political bs.
03-12-2024
Eric Saylor []
This video is nothing more than inaccurate, misleading propaganda designed to promote a specific religious viewpoint, and as such, has no place in a science class or a school. Vote no on this bill.
03-12-2024
Teresa Paulson []
This is yet another example of "Those who can teach, teach and those who cannot pass laws about teaching!" Let the school boards and school curriculum teachers determine what they want shown in their schools. Through all of the legislation session this year, you have determined how the schools should teach history and now how they should teach basic sex education. LET THE SCHOOLS do the teaching with resources they believe in and wish to share with their students. When did you stop trusting the educators or those persons elected by the community itself, to determine what is best. You are undermining rather than supporting. This video has false information in it. It shows incorrect visuals and is grossly inaccurate. I feel this is the Republican parties attemps to push the prolife agenda. For a group who claims they don't believe in BIG government, you sure are passing a lot of bills that are exactly that. DO NOT PASS THIS BILL..but instead listen AND allow the schools to make decisions on how, when, and what their sex education will include. Let the teachers teach and YOU stop making laws telling them how to do it!
03-12-2024
Felicia Coe []
Public education should be factual and administered by teachers, not propaganda videos by special interest groups. Misinforming and fear mongering our kids is dangerous and harmful to society as a whole.
03-12-2024
Charlie Johnson []
In Iowa we value independence and experience. Teachers and school leaders understand the needs of their pupils and dedicate their lives to providing them with the knowledge and skills the students need to become successful and productive citizens. This includes teaching young people to make decisions based on facts, not propaganda. I ask you to vote "no" on HF 2617. Let educators do what they are trained to do.
03-12-2024
Kaycee Schippers []
Vote NO to this attempt at rightwing indoctrination of our school children. This is a tremendous waste of time and taxpayer dollars. Setting curriculum is NOT YOUR JOB. I dont get paid when Im not doing my job you shouldnt either. You should be spending time on figuring out how to fix our roads and feed people who are hungry. Iowans will remember this stupidity.