85R8796 KKA-F     By: Swanson H.B. No. 1485       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to academic freedom for public school teachers providing   science instruction.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that:                (1)  an important purpose of science education is to   inform students about scientific evidence and help students develop   critical thinking skills necessary to become intelligent,   productive, and scientifically informed citizens;                (2)  the teaching of some scientific subjects required   to be taught under the curriculum framework developed by the State   Board of Education may cause controversy, including climate change,   biological evolution, the chemical origins of life, and human   cloning;                (3)  some teachers may be unsure of expectations   concerning how to present information when controversy arises   concerning a scientific subject; and                (4)  the protection of a teacher's academic freedom is   necessary to enable the teacher to provide effective instruction   that serves the purpose stated in Subdivision (1) of this section.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 28.0162 to read as follows:          Sec. 28.0162.  ACADEMIC FREEDOM FOR TEACHERS. (a) The State   Board of Education, school district boards of trustees, and school   district administrators, including school principals, shall   endeavor to:                (1)  create an environment within public elementary and   secondary schools that encourages students to:                      (A)  explore scientific questions;                      (B)  learn about scientific evidence;                      (C)  develop critical thinking skills; and                      (D)  respond appropriately and respectfully to   differences of opinion about scientific subjects required to be   taught under the curriculum framework developed by the State Board   of Education; and                (2)  assist teachers in finding effective ways to   present scientific subjects required to be taught under the   curriculum framework developed by the State Board of Education that   may cause controversy.          (b)  The State Board of Education, a school district board of   trustees, or a school district administrator, including a school   principal, may not prohibit a teacher from helping students   understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner   the scientific strengths and weaknesses of existing scientific   theories included in a course taught in accordance with the   curriculum framework developed by the State Board of Education.          (c)  This section applies only to teaching scientific   subjects included within the curriculum framework developed by the   State Board of Education. This section may not be construed to   promote:                (1)  any religious or nonreligious doctrine; or                (2)  discrimination for or against religion or   irreligion or a particular set of religious beliefs or nonbeliefs.           SECTION 3.  (a) Not later than August 1, 2017, the Texas   Education Agency shall notify the State Board of Education and the   board of trustees and superintendent of each school district in   this state of the provisions of this Act.          (b)  Not later than August 15, 2017, each superintendent   shall notify each district administrator, including a school   principal, and district teacher of the provisions of this Act.          SECTION 4.  This Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018   school year.          SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2017.