PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A Republican-controlled South Dakota Senate committee has dismissed Gov. Kristi Noem’s proposal to ban public K-12 school curricula that compels people to feel “discomfort” based on their race.
The Senate Education committee voted 4-3 to reject the proposal.
HB 1337 had language that stated it would “protect elementary and secondary students from political indoctrination,” was killed killed after several hours of testimony.
Opponents argued that the bill would lessen teacher’s ability to teach controversial or sensitive topics to students and ultimately chill free speech.
The move, made by three Republicans and a Democrat, was a major blow to Noem’s proposal.
She had touted as a repudiation of critical race theory.
It could still be resurrected with widespread support in the full Senate.
