This bill establishes new regulations for school districts and charter schools regarding the materials available in their libraries. It requires each school district and charter school to submit an annual listing of all books and materials in their libraries to the State Department of Education by October 1, starting in 2026. The bill defines terms such as "library," "pornographic," and "sexualized content," and prohibits the presence of any pornographic materials or sexualized content accessible to students under the age of eighteen. Additionally, it mandates that each school district and charter school develop a written policy for reviewing the educational suitability of library materials and for addressing complaints.
The bill also outlines a process for reporting suspected violations of these provisions, allowing parents or guardians to submit complaints to the State Department of Education. The Department is required to investigate these reports and notify the involved parties of the findings. If a violation is confirmed, the school district or charter school has the right to request a hearing before the State Board of Education, which can impose penalties, including a five percent reduction in state funding for noncompliance. The bill includes provisions for the promulgation of rules by the State Board of Education to implement these regulations and declares an emergency for immediate effect upon passage.