Creationism bill in Alabama

Alabama's House Bill 258, introduced on January 18, 2018, would, if enacted, allow teachers to present "the theory of creation as presented in the Bible" in any class discussing evolution, "thereby affording students a choice as to which theory to accept." The bill would also ensure that creationist students would not be penalized for answering examination questions in a way reflecting their adherence to creationism, "provided the response is correct according to the instruction received."

The bill is evidently modeled on a Kentucky law, Kentucky Revised Statutes 158.177 (PDF), enacted in 1976 and still on the books despite its patent unconstitutionality. The sole sponsor of House Bill 258, now with the House Committee on Education Policy, is Steve Hurst (R-District 35), a legislator noteworthy for his previous proposals to require public school teachers to read a daily prayer in the classroom and to punish sex offenders with surgical or chemical castration.