ACLU Among Pro-Abortion Groups Opposing “Baby Olivia Act” in Arkansas

The ACLU is among the pro-abortion groups who oppose a bill that would help provide public school students in Arkansas with appropriate education about unborn children.

H.B. 1180, The Baby Olivia Act, by Rep. Mary Bentley (R — Perryville) and Sen. Clint Penzo (R — Springdale) makes it possible for public school students to see a recording of a high-definition ultrasound video as part of sex-education and human growth and development education courses.

It also lets students see a video like Live Action’s computer-animated “Meet Baby Olivia” video that teaches about human development from conception to birth.

The bill passed with overwhelming support in the Arkansas House last month, but so far the Senate Education Committee has failed to pass H.B. 1180.

The Baby Olivia Act is a good bill that teaches students about unborn children, but pro-abortion groups like the ACLU, the Arkansas Abortion Support Network, For AR People, and the liberal medical organization ACOG oppose H.B. 1180.

The ACLU says H.B. 1180 “is a dangerous and misleading bill that seeks to force anti-abortion propaganda into Arkansas classrooms under the guise of sex education.”

The truth is the “Meet Baby Olivia” video never mentions abortion.

It is simply intended to depict human development with factual, scientific accuracy.

As supporters of the bill told lawmakers during committee testimony, the “Meet Baby Olivia” video’s fetal development data came from the Endowment for Human Development — a nonprofit, scientific and medical organization that does not take a position on public policy issues. Multiple medical professionals reviewed and accredited the video.

That is part of the reason the Arkansas Surgeon General, pro-life OB/GYNs, and various pro-life groups and leaders in the state have come out in support of H.B. 1180.

There is still time for the Senate Education Committee to pass this good bill. Arkansans can call the Senate during normal business hours at 501-682-2902 and leave a message in support of H.B. 1180, the “Baby Olivia Act” by Rep. Bentley and Sen. Penzo.

Below is the “Meet Baby Olivia” video by Live Action. H.B. 1180 would let public schools show a video like this one to students as part of human fetal growth and development education.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.