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House advances bill setting statewide rules for school library materials after hours of debate
Summary
A bill to establish statewide criteria and a community advisory process for school library materials drew hours of floor debate over censorship, parental control and litigation risk; an amendment to change committee structure failed and the House passed the measure.
Representative Francis Jackson of Moore County, sponsor of HB 636, told members the bill creates “a statewide criteria for media materials on the school property,” adds a 10-member advisory committee of five school employees and five parents, requires school-board votes on recommended materials, and directs rejected items to be posted online. He said the measure is intended to protect children and increase parental involvement.
Opponents warned the measure would amount to a book ban in practice. Representative Laura Budd said the bill "is a messaging bill" that…
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