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A bill to be entitled

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An act relating to the teaching of chemical and biological

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evolution; providing a short title; providing legislative

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intent; defining the term "scientific information";

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providing public school teachers with a right to present

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scientific information relevant to the full range of views

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on biological and chemical evolution; prohibiting a

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teacher from being discriminated against for presenting

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such information; prohibiting students from being

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penalized for subscribing to a particular position on

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evolution; clarifying that the act does not require any

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change in state curriculum standards or promote any

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religious position; providing an effective date.

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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

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     Section 1. (1) This section may be cited as the "Evolution

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Academic Freedom Act."

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     (2) As used in this section, the term "scientific

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information" means germane current facts, data, and peer-reviewed

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research specific to the topic of chemical and biological

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evolution as prescribed in Florida's Science Standards.

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     (3) The Legislature finds that current law does not

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expressly protect the right of teachers to objectively present

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scientific information relevant to the full range of scientific

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views regarding chemical and biological evolution. The

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Legislature finds that in many instances educators have

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experienced or feared discipline, discrimination, or other

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adverse consequences as a result of presenting the full range of

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scientific views regarding chemical and biological evolution. The

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Legislature further finds that existing law does not expressly

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protect students from discrimination due to their positions or

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views regarding biological or chemical evolution. The Legislature

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finds that the topic of biological and chemical evolution has

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generated intense controversy about the rights of teachers and

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students to hold differing views on those subjects. It is

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therefore the intent of the Legislature that this section

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expressly protect those rights.

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     (4) Every public school teacher in the state's K-12 school

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system shall have the affirmative right and freedom to

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objectively present scientific information relevant to the full

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range of scientific views regarding biological and chemical

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evolution in connection with teaching any prescribed curriculum

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regarding chemical or biological evolution.

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     (5) A public school teacher in the state's K-12 school

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system may not be disciplined, denied tenure, terminated, or

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otherwise discriminated against for objectively presenting

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scientific information relevant to the full range of scientific

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views regarding biological or chemical evolution in connection

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with teaching any prescribed curriculum regarding chemical or

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biological evolution.

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     (6) Public school students in the state's K-12 school

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system shall be evaluated based upon their understanding of

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course materials through normal testing procedures. However,

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students shall not be penalized for subscribing to a particular

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position or view regarding biological or chemical evolution.

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     (7) The rights and privileges contained in this section

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apply when the subject of biological or chemical evolution is

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part of the curriculum. This section does not require or

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encourage any change in the state curriculum standards for the K-

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12 public school system.

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     (8) This section does not promote any religious doctrine,

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promote discrimination for or against a particular set of

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religious beliefs, or promote discrimination for or against

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religion or nonreligion.

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     Section 2.  This act shall take effect October 1, 2008.