Senate approves bill setting standards for school library resource policies after debate over local control

The Colorado Senate on Feb. 19 approved Senate Bill 63, a measure that sets standards public schools must include in policies governing library resources. The bill passed on final reading by a vote of 22 ayes and 12 noes.

Senator Cutter, prime sponsor, moved the bill on final passage and told the Senate it would require public schools to include specified standards in library resource policies. Opponents argued the matter should be left to local school boards. Senator Pelton R. said he supports local control and urged colleagues to vote no: “I think we need to leave this up to our local school boards,” he said on the floor. “Those books that they took out of library did not need to be in that library. So, I ask for a no vote on this bill.”

After brief floor discussion, the Senate called the roll and the bill passed 22-12. The Senate journal records cosponsors and the roll-call results. Supporters said the measure provides consistent policy standards across districts; opponents said local boards should retain discretion to remove or restrict materials.

SB63’s text and the floor vote record are part of the legislative record; the bill will proceed to further legislative steps as required by the session’s calendar.