Arkansas House passes bill for Bible study

The Arkansas House approved a bill Monday to require the state’s Education Board to sign off on classes involving an academic study of the Bible.

Lawmakers voted 79-3 in favor of House Bill 1017 that would direct the state to approve elective Bible courses as long as they meet certain standards, such as an appropriate level of academic rigor. Republican Rep. Denny Altes of Fort Smith is sponsoring the bill.