SLS 12RS-396 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2012
SENATE BILL NO. 374
BY SENATOR PETERSON
CURRICULA. Repeals the La. Science Education Act. (gov sig)
AN ACT1
To repeal R.S. 17:285.1, relative to the Louisiana Science Education Act; and to provide for2
related matters.3
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:4
Section 1. R.S. 17:285.1 is hereby repealed.5
Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not6
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature7
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If8
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become9
effective on the day following such approval.10
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jeanne C. Johnston.
DIGEST
Present law, the "Louisiana Science Education Act," requires BESE, upon request of a local
school board, to allow and assist teachers, principals, and other school administrators to
create and foster an environment within public elementary and secondary schools that
promotes critical thinking skills, logical analysis, and open and objective discussion of
scientific theories being studied including evolution, the origins of life, global warming, and
human cloning. SB NO. 374
SLS 12RS-396 ORIGINAL
Page 2 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Requires that assistance include support and guidance for teachers regarding effective ways
to help students understand, analyze, critique, and objectively review such scientific theories
being studied.
Requires that a teacher teach material presented in the standard textbook supplied by the
school system and thereafter may use textbooks and other instructional materials to help
students understand, analyze, critique, and review scientific theories in an objective manner,
as permitted by the local school board unless otherwise prohibited by BESE.
Present law specifies that the Louisiana Science Education Act shall not be construed to
promote any religious doctrine, promote discrimination for or against a particular set of
religious beliefs, or promote discrimination for or against religion or nonreligion.
Proposed law repeals these provisions.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Repeals R.S. 17:285.1)