Texas Senate Bill 13: New Powers for Parents Over School Library Books

In a move to bolster parental control over school library selections, the Texas Senate recently approved Senate Bill 13 with a vote of 23 to 8. This legislation is designed to shift the responsibility of book acquisitions in public school libraries from librarians to school boards, effectively redefining how educational institutions manage their literary resources.

Key Provisions of Senate Bill 13

If enacted, the bill would implement significant changes to library book selection processes:

• Local advisory boards would need to be established by school districts to oversee the acquisition of new materials and to handle book challenges.
• Parents would gain the ability to challenge specific books and have them removed from library shelves pending review by the school board.
• The bill asserts parents’ rights to access records about the materials their children check out from school libraries.

Legislative Support and Opposition

The bill’s authors assert that its purpose is to address concerns regarding sexually explicit content in school libraries. However, dissenting voices, including several school librarian advocates from the San Antonio area, express concerns over its implications.

Notably, Senators Judith Zaffirini (D-San Antonio) and Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) voted in favor, while Senators Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio) and Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio) opposed the bill.

Concerns Raised by Educators

Opponents, including public school librarian Lucy Podmore, warn that the bill may amplify the influence of a minority of parents at the expense of broader community perspectives. Podmore points out, “We need to make sure that if this bill is about parental rights, that all are represented.”

Moreover, both Podmore and Laura Sisson, a school librarian at CAST Tech/Fox Tech High School, argue that the legislation could significantly extend the timeline for acquiring new books—currently estimated at six to eight weeks—potentially leading to a reductive impact on library collections.

Impact on Diverse Literature

As the push for this bill gains momentum, concerns about its potential impact on literature diversity come to the forefront. Sisson notes that it could render books addressing race, gender identities, LGBTQ+ issues, and comprehensive sexual education topics particularly susceptible to alteration or removal.

This is especially relevant in light of recent statistics indicating that Texas has banned around 540 books in just the 2023-24 school year, a significant portion of which feature characters from ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ groups.

Broader Legislative Context

Senate Bill 13 builds upon previous legislation designed to regulate school library content. The READER Act (House Bill 900), which mandates a rating system for school library materials, has already generated considerable debate and has faced legal challenges in federal courts.

In addition, House Bill 183—another proposed measure—would allow parents to present book challenges directly to the State Board of Education, removing them from their local districts’ processes altogether.

Conclusion

The developments surrounding Senate Bill 13 illustrate a significant shift in the dynamics of parental influence over educational content in Texas. With various stakeholders voicing their opinions, the final outcome of this legislation remains to be seen as it awaits further discussion in the state chambers.