The "Right To Challenge Act" mandates that local school districts develop and publicly post policies regarding materials authorized for student use, as well as procedures for addressing complaints about materials deemed harmful or age-inappropriate. Specifically, the bill requires each local school board to adopt a policy by September 1, 2026, that outlines materials not authorized for student access, and to establish a complaint resolution process for parents or guardians who believe certain materials are inappropriate. The complaint process includes steps for submitting written complaints, investigating allegations, and providing written responses to complainants, with the possibility of appealing decisions to the school board.

Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions and criteria for determining what constitutes harmful material for minors, including explicit definitions of nudity, sexual conduct, and sadomasochistic abuse. It also amends existing law regarding the dissemination of obscene material by specifying that institutions or individuals with "higher educational" justification may possess such materials. The act emphasizes transparency by requiring that all decisions related to complaints be considered public records. The fiscal impact of the bill on local school districts is indeterminable, as compliance costs may vary by district.

Statutes affected:
As Amended by the House: 650:4