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Montana politics, elections and legislative news

Committee tables proposed ban on teaching scientific theories

A bill that would ban the teaching of scientific theories like gravity and evolution, was tabled in committee Monday. The Senate Education and Cultural Resources Committee voted unanimously to table the bill, meaning it likely won't move forward.

Republican Senator Daniel Emrich from Great Falls is the bill’s sponsor and was among those who voted to stop the policy from advancing.

“This created a great conversation to be had but I think that the bill was rather confusing in its simplicity,” Emrich said.

The bill had one supporter in its hearing and over 20 opponents, including local Helena students, and teachers from across the state. The bill had a legal note stating it could overstep the Board of Public Education’s constitutional authority to oversee schools in the state.

A bill in the state Legislature seeking to regulate science curriculum in public schools got its first hearing Monday. The legislation’s sponsor says by banning scientific theories, the policy aims to prevent kids from being taught things that aren’t true.

Ellis Juhlin is MTPR's Environmental Reporter. She covers wildlife, natural resources, climate change and agriculture stories. She worked at Utah Public Radio and Yellowstone Public Radio prior to joining MTPR, and in wildlife conservation before becoming a journalist. She has a Master's Degree in Ecology from Utah State University and is an average birder who wants you to keep your cat indoors. Her life is run by her two dogs, one of which is afraid of birds.

ellis.juhlin@mso.umt.edu
406-272-2568
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