House Bill 391, one of two antievolution bills in the Alabama legislature, was passed by the House Education Committee by a vote of 10-2 (with one abstention) on March 3.
If enacted, HB 391 would provide teachers and instructors at public institutions "the affirmative right and freedom to present scientific, historical, theoretical, or evidentiary information pertaining to alternative theories or points of view on the subject of origins," and protection from penalties for teaching alternatives. The bill would also provide a student the right not to be penalized for holding "a particular position on origins, so long as the student demonstrates acceptable understanding of course materials."
One of the legislators on the committee cited the likelihood of litigation over the bill as part of her reason to vote against it.
March 5, 2004