The bill contains a mechanism for “local education agencies” (i.e., school districts, vocational-technical schools, and charter schools) to consider objections to library materials.

Plain English Breakdown

The source material describes the intent of the amendment but does not confirm if House Bill No. 119 originally contained a state appeals process, only that this amendment sought to eliminate it as 'redundant' and handled by 'unelected officials.'

Amendment to Remove State Review of School Library Objections

This bill proposes removing a second level of review at the state level so that only local elected officials decide on objections to school library materials.

What This Bill Does

• Deletes lines 119 through 144 from House Bill No. 119 in their entirety.
• Removes a secondary appeals process handled by unelected state officials for school library materials.
• Keeps the existing mechanism that allows local education agencies to consider objections to books and other items.

Who It Names or Affects

• Local education agencies, including school districts
• Vocational-technical schools
• Charter schools

Terms To Know

local education agency

A group that runs a public school district, vocational-technical school, or charter school.

appeals process

A formal way to ask for a review of a decision after it has been made.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill was defeated in the House by voice vote on May 22, 2025.
• Because the amendment failed, no effective date is listed for these changes.
• The text does not describe how local agencies currently handle objections before this proposed change.

Official Summary Text

The bill contains a mechanism for “local education agencies” (i.e., school districts, vocational-technical schools, and charter schools) to consider objections to library materials. It also includes an appeals process conducted by local elected school officials to review these decisions. These officials are answerable to the citizens of the districts they serve, and their decisions should not be subject to being overturned by a committee of unelected officials lacking any accountability to local residents. As such, this amendment seeks to eliminate the secondary, redundant state appeals process for school library materials.

Current Bill Text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Dukes

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 6

TO

HOUSE BILL NO. 119

AMEND House Bill No. 119 by deleting lines 119 through 144 in their entirety.

SYNOPSIS

The bill contains a mechanism for “local education agencies” (i.e., school districts, vocational-technical schools, and charter schools) to consider objections to library materials. It also includes an appeals process conducted by local elected school officials to review these decisions. These officials are answerable to the citizens of the districts they serve, and their decisions should not be subject to being overturned by a committee of unelected officials lacking any accountability to local residents. As such, this amendment seeks to eliminate the secondary, redundant state appeals process for school library materials.