Texas House approves bill empowering parents over school library books
- The Texas House approved a Senate bill aimed at giving parents and school boards more power over public school library books.
- The bill allows school boards to have final say on what materials are allowed based on community complaints.
- Concerns have been raised about potential overreach and the banning of important literary works.
In Texas, the House of Representatives approved a bill on May 26, 2025, aimed at granting parents and local school boards greater authority over the selection and removal of books available in public school libraries. Senate Bill 13 facilitates this by shifting the oversight from school librarians to school boards, thereby allowing them the final say in the approval and potential banning of materials based on community standards. This comes against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny of educational content and increasing calls from parents and advocacy groups to limit access to certain books deemed inappropriate or harmful. During discussions on the floor, proponents stressed the importance of aligning school library materials with local community values, asserting that this aligns with improving parental control in education. Meanwhile, Democrats raised concerns that the bill might lead to the arbitrary removal of literary classics and important educational texts, citing the vagueness of what constitutes harmful material and indecent content. This could have serious implications on students' educational experiences and access to diverse perspectives in literature. Lawmakers pointed out that a significant percentage of complaints regarding library materials came from elected officials and pressure groups rather than directly from parents, indicating a wider societal debate on censorship in education. Furthermore, the new bill regulates how community councils can be established to oversee book selections, allowing for more input from parents. However, the process could slow down library operations and lead to an extensive backlog, as each book would require approval based on the new guidelines. Critics of the bill have highlighted the potential for overreach by small groups influencing the broader educational landscape, worrying that what is considered 'indecent' may be subjectively interpreted. Supporters of the bill, including Rep. Brad Buckley, argue that prioritizing children's well-being and parental controls outweighs the possible drawbacks, framing the discourse around preserving local values in education. The bill, a priority for the state's legislative leadership, raises fundamental questions about how educational content should be regulated and the roles parents, educators, and administrators play in shaping student learning environments. As the bill now heads back to the Senate for further consideration, the debate is expected to intensify, reflecting broader national themes around educational censorship and the rights of parents in guiding their children's education. This legislative move could set a precedent in Texas and potentially influence other states grappling with similar issues in their educational systems.