Tennessee lawmakers propose changes to how books get removed from school libraries

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee’s Republican-controlled Statehouse is once again looking to tweak how books can be removed from school library shelves despite concerns that the latest proposal could result in the Bible being possibly banned.

The legislation is the latest development in the ongoing battle many conservative leaders have launched against school libraries across the U.S., where many have become suspicious of the materials provided to children — particularly targeting those that touch on racism and LGBTQ+ issues.

Two years ago, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed off on legislation requiring school libraries to post their contents online and regularly review their policies to make sure the materials are “age appropriate” and “suitable” for children.

The Republican then also approved a new appeals process for removing books from school libraries, allowing the state’s textbook commission — made up of all political appointees — to have the ultimate say in whether a book can or can’t stay in school libraries.

This year, Republican lawmakers are looking to overhaul the definition of “suitable” materials in library collections by defining that it must not contain “nudity or descriptions or depictions of sexual excitement, sexual conduct, excess violence, or sadomasochistic abuse for the age or maturity level of a student in any of the grades K-12" or materials that are “patently offensive.”

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