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Heated public testimony as Senate considers "freedom to read" bill on school library materials selection
Summary
Senate Bill 799, which would set statewide standards requiring the Department of Education and the State Librarian to select school library materials according to specified criteria and to uphold the "freedom to read," drew large and emotional public turnout with both strong support and strong opposition; the committee deferred the bill
Senate Bill 799, a broad measure concerning selection, circulation, and exclusion criteria for school library collections and a statutory "freedom to read" requirement, prompted lengthy and emotional public testimony and was deferred for further work.
The measure would require the Department of Education and the state librarian to select school library materials according to specified criteria and prohibit exclusions based on particular characteristics. Supporters told the committee the bill is intended to protect access and prevent de facto book bans; opponents said the bill as drafted would force schools to carry material they consider age‑inappropriate and argued it would diminish parental control.
State education and library officials testified that the DOE already follows professional selection criteria and that…
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