The bill quickly passed the House and Senate.

Rep. D.J. Johnson, R-Owensboro, sponsored the bill and said students need to understand the role the Bible plays in America's history.

"It really did set the foundation that our founding fathers used to develop documents like the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights," Johnson said.  "All of those came from principles from the Bible."

School boards now have the option of developing a Bible literacy class as part of their social studies curriculum. The course would not be a requirement for students, but an elective.

"The idea that we would not want this to be an option for people in school, that would be crazy. I don't know why every state would not embrace this, why we as a nation would not embrace this," Bevin told people during a ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda.

Meanwhile, the Kentucky branch of the ACLU is concerned about how the new law will be implemented in schools.

They told WDRB-TV they want to monitor how the law will take effect.

"We want to make sure that teachers can teach and make sure that they don't go in to preach," Advocacy Director Kate Miller said.

Supporters assure the Department of Education will have a hand in helping schools develop the course.

"As long as we're careful with the curriculum itself, there won't be any constitutional issues," Johnson said. "And we'll do that."

Bevin said critics should not be concerned about the bill.

"You could be an atheist, and you would appreciate there's a lot of wisdom in the Bible," he said.

The bill takes effect today.

CBN News

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

'Melania' Film a Huge Success, Shocking Hollywood Press on Opening Weekend

Give Him 15: Sanctifying the Night with the 'Big Ben Moment' of Prayer for America

Trump Issues Executive Order to Expedite Rebuilding after Los Angeles County Wildfires

CA, NY Set to Lose Congressional Seats after Mass Migration to Southern States

NYC Democrat Wants Newsmax Banned in Taxis

DHS: 6,947 Criminal Illegal Aliens Released into NY Since Jan. 20, with Thousands More to Come

President Trump's HHS Rescinds Biden-Era Abortion Pill Rule That Forced Pharmacies to Supply It

Shocking Email from Epstein Files Implicates Former US Ambassador, Clintons, Bidens, and More

First Lady: 'Melania' Documentary Movie is 'Emotional,' 'Cinematic'

A Different Kind of Classroom Is Outperforming Expectations

Elon Musk's Warning to Parents: 'Woke Programming Is Everywhere in Children's 'Educational Shows,' Even Peppa Pig

School Fires 'Character Coach' after Atheists Complain

Marine Vet Missionary Killed During Facebook Marketplace Meetup Sent Heartbreaking Text Before Death

Maximum Pressure on Iran as US Military Positions for Strikes

Bill and Hillary Clinton Contempt Vote Set for Next Wednesday

Don Lemon Arrested for Role in Church Service Disruption by Anti-ICE Activists

Nicki Minaj? Creed? Who Will Headline Turning Point USA's Rival Super Bowl Halftime Show?

'Trump Accounts' Savings for Kids: How They Work and Who Is Eligible

Here's Why Many Say the Ilhan Omar Assault Was Staged

VIDEO: Alex Pretti Attacked Federal Agents' SUV 2 Weeks Before His Death