A battle over science education could soon spill into the courts in Louisiana, where looming legislation would allow teachers to bring up scientific criticisms of evolution, global warming and other hot-button topics.

The state House approved the bill Wednesday on a 94-3 vote. Because the Senate already approved a near-identical measure, supporters expect the upper chamber to pass this bill also.

A spokeswoman for Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal would not say whether he will sign the bill, saying only that he will review it when it gets to his desk.

"It's not about a certain viewpoint," said supporter Jason Stern, Vice President of the Louisiana Family Forum, a conservative group pushing the bill. "It's allowing [teachers] to teach the controversy. It's an academic freedom issue."

Opponents, however, say it's a thinly veiled attempt to allow into science class "intelligent design," which they denounce as disguised religion and warn of lawsuits if the bill becomes law.

"If this bill passes, and religious materials are brought into Louisiana public schools as a result, we will go to court to seek justice for the state's children," Americans United for Separation of Church and State Executive Director Barry Lynn said earlier this week. "The federal courts have repeatedly struck down every scheme designed to inject religious doctrines into public school science classes. These so-called 'academic freedom