Bill would require school districts to list library materials

OKLAHOMA CITY — A McCurtain County Republican has filed Senate legislation to require Oklahoma public school districts and charter schools to submit a list of all available library materials to the State Department of Education by Oct. 1 each year.

Under the provisions of Senate Bill 19, schools would be prohibited from having any inappropriate materials available to students, said bill author Sen. Warren Hamilton.

“Oklahoma students should be able to read and learn in a safe environment, free from exposure to explicit materials. Parents should also have peace of mind knowing that their children are not able to access inappropriate content while at school,” Hamilton said. “This bill ensures that parents and the State Department of Education can hold schools accountable for exposing children to inappropriate materials, while also putting parameters in place to ensure such content isn’t available in the first place.”

Hamilton’s bill also would require schools to implement written policies for evaluating the educational relevance and age-appropriateness of library materials, as well as for managing and responding to complaints about books and materials in libraries.

Senate Bill 19 will be considered when the legislative session begins Feb. 3.