April 8, 2004

A Second "Equal Time for Intelligent Design" Bill

On April 7 House Bill 1722 was introduced in the Missouri General Assembly. This bill would require "the equal treatment of science instruction regarding evoluton and intelligent design". It is sponsored by the same representative as House Bill 911, introduced earlier this year, and contains much the same language as that bill with the exception of a few provisions.

HB911 states that "Willful neglect of any elementary or secondary school superintendent, principal, or teacher to observe and carry out the requirements of this section shall be cause for termination of his or her contract" and "Each public school classroom in this state from grades eight through twelve in which science is taught exclusively shall post a copy of this section in a conspicuous manner". HB1722 does not contain these sentences.

No action has been taken on HB911 since its introduction in January. The current session of the House of Representatives is scheduled to end on May 14.