Texas House Approves Bill Increasing Parental Control Over School Library Books
The Texas House granted preliminary approval to Senate Bill 13 on Monday, a measure aimed at expanding parental and school board authority over public school library materials. This legislation shifts the decision-making power from school librarians to local school boards, allowing them to act on complaints regarding book content and determine which materials remain accessible.
Under SB 13, school boards can either oversee book approvals and removals directly or delegate this responsibility to advisory councils formed when 20% of parents in a district sign a petition. Initially passed by the House with a vote of 87-57, the bill outlines definitions for "harmful material" and "indecent content," sparking concerns among Democratic representatives regarding potential overreach and censorship.
Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, expressed fears that the bill’s vague language might enable small groups to limit access to classic literature. “If your answer to ‘could Romeo and Juliet be banned,’ is anything other than ‘of course not,’ then that is a serious problem,” he warned.
Supporters, including the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Brad Buckley, argue it prioritizes community values and parental rights in education. “We should cherish and value our kids more,” he stated, addressing concerns that the legislation might lead to excessive book bans.
Opposition persists, raising alarms about the administrative burden on school boards tasked with reviewing materials within a 90-day period following complaints. A report from PEN America highlighted that around 540 books were banned in Texas schools during the past academic year.
Senate Bill 13 now awaits further approval from the Senate before becoming law.
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