NASHVILLE (AP) - Almost 90 years after the Scopes "monkey trial," the state of Tennessee is close to enacting a law that critics say renews the attack on evolution.

Republican Gov. Bill Haslam says he will likely sign the bill passed by the Legislature into law. The bill would protect teachers who allow students to criticize evolution and other scientific theories, such as global warming.

The governor says the State Board of Education has told him the measure won't affect the state's current scientific curriculum. Louisiana enacted a similar law in 2008.

Critics argue that established science shouldn't be taught as controversy.

In 1925, school teacher John Scopes was convicted of violating state statute by teaching evolution in biology class and fined $100. It was overturned on a technicality a year later.