MO HB195

Amends Chapter 170, RSMo by creating section 170.335 regarding teacher academic freedom in teaching evolution.

Requires the state board of education, school governing authorities, superintendents, and administrators to create an environment encouraging students to explore scientific questions, develop critical thinking skills, and respectfully discuss controversial issues including biological and chemical evolution.

Prohibits state board of education, school governing authorities, superintendents, administrators, principals, and administrators from preventing teachers from helping students understand, analyze, critique, and review the scientific strengths and weaknesses of biological or chemical evolution when taught in the curriculum.

Specifies that the section protects only the teaching of scientific information and shall not promote any religious or nonreligious doctrine, discrimination based on religious beliefs, or discrimination for or against religion or nonreligion.

Requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to notify all public school superintendents of these provisions no later than the start of the 2012-2013 school year, with each superintendent required to disseminate the section to all employees.