This blog is part of our 89th Legislative Session Recap series. Click here to learn more about how the bills passed this session will affect you & your community.
Official Bill Caption
Relating to a school district’s library materials and catalog, the establishment of local school library advisory councils, and parental rights regarding public school library catalogs and access by the parent’s child to library materials.
What it Does
SB 13 allows boards of trustees to establish local school “library advisory councils” and mandates that they do so if 10% of the parents in the district (or 50 parents, whichever is fewer) submit a petition. The advisory councils will consist of members appointed by the boards and are tasked with making recommendations on new book/material purchases as well as reviewing and removing materials they deem to be “harmful,” “indecent,” “profane,” or “inconsistent with local community values.” Advisory councils are not required to include trained librarians.
SB 13 also allows anyone living in a school district to challenge library materials they deem inappropriate, regardless of whether they have students in the district. All students lose access to a challenged library material until it is reviewed by the advisory council or board, for up to 90 days.
Finally, SB 13 allows parents to restrict their child’s access to individual materials and view their child’s library records. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.
Why it Matters
Every child deserves access to stories that help them feel seen, valued, and less alone — stories that reflect who they are, where they come from, and who they can become. SB 13 empowers political appointees and bad actors to decide what our kids can and can’t read. It’s censorship, plain and simple, targeting LGBTQIA+ youth and communities of color in particular, under the false banner of “parental control.”
What’s Next
Attend school board meetings, and let your local board know our students should be free to read! Speak out against the appointment of partisan, unqualified advisory council members. Consider running for school board yourself!
