PRINTER'S NO. 1153
No. 1007 Session of 2005
INTRODUCED BY CREIGHTON, ARMSTRONG, BASTIAN, BENNINGHOFF, BOYD,
CLYMER, ELLIS, HERSHEY, LEH, PETRARCA, ROHRER AND STERN,
MARCH 16, 2005
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 16, 2005
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
2 act relating to the public school system, including certain
3 provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
4 schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
5 laws relating thereto," providing for the teaching of
6 theories on the origin of man and earth.
7 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
8 hereby enacts as follows:
9 Section 1. The act of act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14),
10 known as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
11 section to read:
12 Section 1516.2. Teaching Theories on the Origin of Man and
13 Earth.--(a) In any public school instruction concerning the
14 theories of the origin of man and the earth which includes the
15 theory commonly known as evolution, a board of school directors
16 may include, as a portion of such instruction, the theory of
17 intelligent design. Upon approval of the board of school
18 directors, any teacher may use supporting evidence deemed
19 necessary for instruction on the theory of intelligent design.
1 (b) When providing supporting evidence on the theory of
2 intelligent design, no teacher in a public school may stress any
3 particular denominational, sectarian or religious belief.
4 (c) This section shall not be construed as being adverse to
5 any decision which has been rendered by an appellate court.
6 Section 2. This act shall be retroactive to July 1, 2005.
7 Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2005, or
8 immediately, whichever is later.
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