Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a procedure for parents to lodge complaints against a book in their school's library and a procedure for the school to respond.

Highlights:

• Defines “appeal committee” as a committee comprised of the following, including (Ch. 5.5, Sec. 1):

• The school principal;

• A parent or guardian; and

• A certified librarian employed by the school.

• Requires the governing body of a school corporation or charter school publish on their school website and make available via hard copy a current list of each book contained within the school library, which will contain the following information, including (Ch. 5.5, Sec. 2):

• Title;

• First and last name of author;

• Edition;

• Publisher; and

• Year of publication.

• Requires the governing body of a school corporation or charter school establish a procedure to allow parents or guardians of a student enrolled in the school to submit a complaint that a book in the possession of the school library is inappropriate to students (Ch. 5.5, Sec. 3).

• Specifies that the aforementioned complaints will be reviewed by a certified librarian employed by the school corporation or charter school who will determine the following, including that (Ch. 5.5, Sec. 3):

• The book be removed from the school library;

• The book be placed in an age-appropriate section within the school library; or

• The complaint be denied.

• Requires that the governing body of a school corporation or charter schools establish an appeal process for parents or guardians who disagree with the aforementioned determination to request review before an appeal committee who will uphold, modify, or overturn the ruling (Ch. 5.5, Sec. 3).

• Prohibits a governing body of a school corporation or charter school from making available books that contain obscene matter or matter harmful to minors within the school library (Ch. 5.5, Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text