Legislature approves stem cell and biotechnology education bill

A bill to help California develop a homegrown workforce for the state's stem cell and biotechnology industries cleared its final hurdle in the legislature on Thursday with Senate approval of amendments the Assembly adopted Tuesday. 

SB 471, jointly authored by Senator Gloria Romero, chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee, and Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, now goes to the Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggerfor signature.  
 
The Senate bill requires the California Department of Education to collaborate with the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the state stem cell agency, and with the biotechnology industry to include stem cell and biotechnology in existing science and career development programs. 

It also requires the CDE to post  information on its Web site about biotechnology education programs in public schools and provide science teachers and school districts a model curriculum on stem cell science developed by CIRM, according to a news release from Romero's office.