HOUSE BILL 498

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Daniel R. Foley

AN ACT

RELATING TO EDUCATION; EXPRESSLY PERMITTING THE USE OF THE BIBLE AS A LITERATURE AND HISTORY TEXT IN THE HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM IN NEW MEXICO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

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] TREATMENT OF THE BIBLE AS A TEXT.--The department shall promulgate a rule by November 30, 2007 expressly permitting the bible to be used as a text in a high school literature or history course so long as the course is taught objectively, with no attempt to indoctrinate, persuade or teach a student the merits of one religion over another, give a religious interpretation of the text or disparage or encourage a commitment to a set of religious beliefs."