Third Substitute S.B. 96

Representative James A. Ferrin proposes the following substitute bill:

1 PUBLIC EDUCATION - INSTRUCTION AND
2 POLICY RELATING TO THE
3 ORIGINS OF SPECIES
4 2006 GENERAL SESSION
5 STATE OF UTAH
6 Chief Sponsor: D. Chris Buttars
7 House Sponsor: James A. Ferrin
8
9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This bill amends the chapter relating to Curriculum in the Public Schools to require the
12 State Board of Education to establish certain curriculum requirements and policies
13 relating to instruction on the origins of species.
14 Highlighted Provisions:
15 This bill:
16 . states the intent of the Legislature relating to this bill;
17 . requires the State Board of Education to establish curriculum requirements and
18 policies that:
19 . stress that a scientific theory, hypothesis, or inference regarding the origins of
20 species is not an empirically proven fact; and
21 . do not endorse as fact any one theory, hypothesis, or inference regarding the
22 origins of species; and
23 . grants rulemaking authority to the State Board of Education.
24 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
25 None

26 Other Special Clauses:
27 None
28 Utah Code Sections Affected:
29 ENACTS:
30 53A-13-101.7, Utah Code Annotated 1953
31
32 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
33 Section 1. Section 53A-13-101.7 is enacted to read:
34 53A-13-101.7. Curriculum and policy on instruction relating to the origins of
35 species.
36 (1) In order to encourage students to critically analyze scientific instruction regarding
37 the origins of species, to consider differing scientific viewpoints, and to form their own
38 opinions, the Legislature desires to avoid the perception that any scientific theory, hypothesis,
39 or inference regarding the origins of species has been empirically proven, or that the state
40 endorses as fact any one theory, hypothesis, or inference.
41 (2) The State Board of Education shall establish curriculum requirements, consistent
42 with Subsection (1), relating to scientific instruction of students on the origins of species.
43 (3) The curriculum requirements described in Subsection (2) shall require that if
44 scientific instruction is given to students regarding the origins of species, then that instruction
45 shall stress that a scientific theory, hypothesis, or inference regarding the origins of species is
46 not an empirically proven fact.
47 (4) The State Board of Education shall:
48 (a) make rules, pursuant to Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking
49 Act, to fulfill the requirements of this section; and
50 (b) ensure that all policies and positions of the State Board of Education relating to
51 scientific instruction regarding the origins of species:
52 (i) do not endorse as fact any particular theory, hypothesis, or inference; and
53 (ii) stress that a scientific theory, hypothesis, or inference regarding the origins of
54 species is not an empirically proven fact.