The Arkansas House has approved a bill that requires public schools to offer an elective course on the Bible if students request one.

The bill approved by the House on Tuesday by a 64-7 vote would require a public school to offer the academic study of the Bible if at least 15 students request one.

The course would be taught in what the legislation calls a "nondevotional manner with no attempt made to indoctrinate students."

A 2013 Arkansas law allows public schools to offer an elective course on the Bible but doesn't require schools to do so.

The measure approved Tuesday now heads to the Senate.