The attempt to require the teaching of climate change in Connecticut's public schools by law is still proceeding. On May 28, 2019, the Connecticut House of Representatives voted 103-43 to pass House Bill 7083, after it was amended to change a requirement that science be taught to a requirement that science "including climate change consistent with the Next Generation Science Standards" be taught.
The amended bill was opposed by climate change deniers in the House, according to the Hartford Courant (May 29, 2019), including John Piscopo (R-District 76), who claimed, "There is active scientific debate among scientists and others ... about how much global warming is caused by humans burning fossil fuels." Earlier in 2019, Piscopo introduced a measure, HB 5955, to "eliminate climate change materials" from the Connecticut state science standards.
If HB 7083 is enacted, Connecticut will become the first state to require the teaching of climate change in its public schools by law, not simply through its state science standards. The requirement was originally proposed in HB 5011, introduced by Christine Palm (D-District 36), which died in committee. It was subsequently incorporated in HB 7352 (which died in committee) and in a proposed but rejected amendment to HB 7113.
