The bill amends the Education Code to establish a framework for the regulation and review of library materials in public school libraries in Texas. It introduces new definitions, including "Board" as the State Board of Education and "Library material vendor," which refers to entities selling library materials to public schools. The bill also reorganizes existing sections into designated subchapters, specifically creating Subchapter A for general provisions and Subchapter B for library material ratings. Notably, it clarifies that school districts and staff are not liable for violations by library material vendors and allows the commissioner to adopt necessary rules for administration.

Additionally, the bill establishes a new Subchapter C, which outlines a process for parental requests to review library materials deemed inappropriate or containing sexually explicit content. The State Board of Education is tasked with developing a form for parents to submit these requests and must maintain a list of materials under review. The board is required to review the materials within three weeks of receiving a request and determine their appropriateness for various grade levels. The bill also prohibits students from using materials that are under review or have been rejected based on the board's findings. The provisions of this act will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 35.001, Education Code 35.004, Education Code 35.007, Education Code 35.008 (Education Code 35)