SENATE BILL 433

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Kent L. Cravens

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION; REQUIRING PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO ALLOW TEACHERS TO TEACH ALL RELEVANT SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION WHEN TEACHING THEORIES OF BIOLOGICAL ORIGINS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] TEACHING OF BIOLOGICAL ORIGINS.-- 

          A. The department, school district governing authorities and school administrators shall not prohibit any teacher, when biological evolution or chemical evolution is being taught in accordance with adopted standards and curricula, from informing students about relevant scientific information regarding either the scientific strengths or scientific weaknesses pertaining to biological evolution or chemical evolution. A teacher who chooses to provide such information shall be protected from reassignment, termination, discipline or other discrimination for doing so.

          B. This section pertains solely to the teaching of scientific information and specifically does not protect the promotion of any religion, religious doctrine or religious belief.

          C. Public school teachers may hold students accountable for knowing and understanding material taught in accordance with adopted standards and curricula about biological evolution or chemical evolution, but they shall not penalize a student in any way because that student subscribes to a particular position on biological evolution or chemical evolution.

          D. For purposes of this section, "scientific information" means information derived from observation, experimentation and analyses regarding various aspects of the natural world conducted to determine the nature of or principles behind the aspects being studied. "Scientific information" does not include information derived from religious or philosophical writings, beliefs or doctrines; provided, however, that "scientific information" may have religious or philosophical implications and still be scientific in nature."

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