Tennessee law expands book bans in schools, targeting LGBTQ+ content and more (original) (raw)

Books sit on shelves in an elementary school library in suburban Atlanta on Friday, 18, 2023. Although not new, book challenges have surged in public schools since 2020, part of a broader backlash to what kids read and discuss in school. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)

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Tennessee Books Law Schools LGBTQ+Ban Libraries Content

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The 2024-2025 school year is just around the corner.

And Tennessee lawmakers have added new requirements to an existing law that could ban more books from school libraries.

Tennessee State Senator Jon Lundberg says...

"There’s certain things for certain ages that they shouldn’t be able to access and see, especially in public institutions."

The Age Appropriate Materials Act was enacted back in 2022.

It requires public schools to publish a list of their library books online for parents to see.

Like this list from Ooltewah High School:

But in this last session, lawmakers expanded the law, adding a ban on books that contain nudity, sexual excitement, sexual conduct, or excess violence.

This also includes books discussing the LGBTQ+ community.

According to the Associated Press, this legislation comes amid an ongoing battle many conservative leaders have launched against school libraries across the U.S.

During debate, Democratic Senator Jeff Yarbro said that could bring into question whether the Bible should be banned among the rest of those books.

But Republican lawmakers say this law is about keeping books age-appropriate.

"Any child-parent guardian can say 'hey, I think this book is inappropriate for my child,," Sen. Lundberg says. "We’re trying to keep kids safe and make certain that what they’re reading and what they’re seeing in public libraries are appropriate for their age."

Sen. Lundberg says it’s up to the textbook commission to determine which books can or can’t stay in the classroom and libraries.

The law states school leaders have 60 days to review their books, or they could face penalties.