As Introduced

124th General Assembly
Regular Session
2001-2002
H. B. No. 481


REPRESENTATIVES Reidelbach, Collier, Hughes, Seitz, Flowers, Brinkman, Young, Roman, White, Willamowski, Schaffer, Gilb, Fessler, Hagan, Schmidt, Seaver



A BILL
To enact section 3313.6013 of the Revised Code to1
require that whenever an explanation for the2
origins of life and its diversity is included in3
the instructional program of a school district or4
educational service center the instructional5
program shall encourage the presentation of6
scientific evidence objectively and disclose the7
historical nature of origins of life science and8
any material assumptions on which the explanation9
is based.10


BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

       Section 1. That section 3313.6013 of the Revised Code be11
enacted to read as follows:12

       Sec. 3313.6013. It is the intent of the general assembly that13
to enhance the effectiveness of science education and to promote14
academic freedom and the neutrality of state government with15
respect to teachings that touch religious and nonreligious16
beliefs, it is necessary and desirable that "origins science,"17
which seeks to explain the origins of life and its diversity, be18
conducted and taught objectively and without religious,19
naturalistic, or philosophic bias or assumption. To further this20
intent, the instructional program provided by any school district21
or educational service center shall do all of the following:22

       (A) Encourage the presentation of scientific evidence23
regarding the origins of life and its diversity objectively and24
without religious, naturalistic, or philosophic bias or25
assumption;26

        (B) Require that whenever explanations regarding the origins27
of life are presented, appropriate explanation and disclosure28
shall be provided regarding the historical nature of origins29
science and the use of any material assumption which may have30
provided a basis for the explanation being presented;31

       (C) Encourage the development of curriculum that will help32
students think critically, understand the full range of scientific33
views that exist regarding the origins of life, and understand why34
origins science may generate controversy.35