The controversial legislation became law Tuesday without Bill Haslam’s signature. Creationism bill becomes Tenn. law

Tennessee will now allow the discussion of creationism theory in its classrooms.

The controversial legislation — known as the “Monkey Bill” by those who said it attacked teaching evolution — became law on Tuesday without Gov. Bill Haslam’s signature, Reuters reported. The Republican governor said he allowed the legislation encouraging classroom debate about evolution to become law despite his misgivings because he thinks it will not significantly affect the state’s science curriculum.


“I do not believe that this legislation changes the scientific standards that are taught in our schools or the curriculum that is used by our teachers,” Haslam said in a statement. “However, I also don’t believe that it accomplishes anything that isn’t already acceptable in our schools.”

“The bill received strong bipartisan support, passing the House and Senate by a three-to-one margin, but good legislation should bring clarity and not confusion. My concern is that this bill has not met this objective. For that reason, I will not sign the bill but will allow it to become law without my signature,” he added.

Critics likened the bill to the Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925 in Dayton, Tenn., in which teacher John Scopes was found guilty of teaching evolution and violating state law. The state Supreme Court later overturned the verdict, and in 1967 the state’s anti-evolution law was repealed.