Chapter 460 Oregon Laws 2005

AN ACT

SB 383

Relating to dissection of animals; and declaring an emergency.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. (1) A kindergarten through grade 12 public school student may refuse to dissect any vertebrate or invertebrate animal or the parent or legal guardian of a kindergarten through grade 12 public school student may refuse to allow the student to dissect any vertebrate or invertebrate animal.

(2) A school district that includes dissection as part of its coursework shall permit students to demonstrate competency in the coursework through alternative materials or methods of learning that do not include the dissection of animals. These alternative materials and methods may include but are not limited to:

(a) Videotapes, DVDs and CD-ROMs;

(b) Models;

(c) Films;

(d) Books;

(e) Computer programs;

(f) Clay modeling; and

(g) Transparencies.

(3) A kindergarten through grade 12 public school teacher may not discriminate against a student or lower the grade of a student for not participating in the dissection of an animal.

(4) A school district shall notify students who have dissection as part of their coursework and the parents and legal guardians of those students about the provisions of this section.

SECTION 2. Section 1 of this 2005 Act first applies to the 2005-2006 school year.

SECTION 3. This 2005 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2005 Act takes effect July 1, 2005.

Approved by the Governor July 7, 2005

Filed in the office of Secretary of State July 7, 2005

Effective date July 7, 2005

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