Texas Schools Face New Book Review Rules

Parents Gain Greater Control Over Library Content

Texas public school students may soon see significant changes to their library selections, as legislators have approved a bill shifting authority over book choices from librarians to parents and school boards. The new law aims to increase parental involvement but raises concerns about potential censorship.

Bill Details and Passage

Senate Bill 13, now headed to Governor Greg Abbott for signature, establishes a framework for removing books based on parent complaints. School boards will have the final say on materials, or they can delegate the responsibility to advisory councils formed by petition. The threshold for forming a council was lowered to 50 parents or 10% of the district’s families, whichever is less, a compromise from earlier proposals.

The bill passed the House 81-48 and the Senate 23-8. It defines “harmful material” and “indecent content,” prompting worries from Democrats about overly broad bans.

“If your answer to ‘could “Romeo and Juliet” be banned,’ if it is anything other than ‘of course not,’ then that is a serious problem,”

—James Talarico, Representative

Concerns Over Community Values and Censorship

Representative James Talarico cautioned that the bill’s emphasis on “local community values” could lead to the removal of classic literature. He specifically cited titles like “Catcher in the Rye,” “Lonesome Dove,” and even the Bible as potentially vulnerable under subjective interpretations. Representative Erin Zwiener added that age appropriateness should be considered, noting that what is indecent for a 17-year-old differs greatly from what is indecent for a 5-year-old.

According to a recent report by PEN America, roughly 540 books were banned in Texas schools during the 2023-24 school year, representing a significant increase in restrictions on student access to literature. PEN America’s 2023 report details the growing trend of book bans across the country, with Texas consistently ranking among the states with the highest number of challenged titles.

Administrative Challenges and Existing Regulations

Opponents also expressed concern about the administrative burden of reviewing each new library book. School boards have 90 days to decide on challenged materials, potentially leaving books unavailable for extended periods. The bill builds upon a 2023 law aimed at removing “sexually explicit” content, though a key provision requiring a book rating system from that law was partially blocked by a federal appeals court.

Representative Brad Buckley, the bill’s House sponsor, defended the measure, stating that community values are the “bedrock” of public policy and dismissing concerns about classics being banned as a “red herring.” He emphasized that the bill prioritizes the well-being of children.

The bill also allows parents to submit lists of books their children are prohibited from checking out.