Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) enacted a fresh bill into law on Tuesday, aiming to restrict individuals without children attending schools within a particular district from raising concerns about books in those districts.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has recently signed a comprehensive education bill, HB 1285, into law, marking a significant change in the state’s approach to book objections within school districts. Under this new law, individuals without children enrolled in the district can only raise one objection per month, while parents with children, including those who are homeschooled, retain the ability to file unlimited objections.
In his statement regarding the bill, Governor DeSantis emphasized Florida’s commitment to educational excellence, citing a focus on core academic subjects and the rejection of classroom indoctrination as key principles. He sees the legislation as building upon the state’s past achievements in education.
This legislation addresses the fallout from a controversial 2022 law, which granted individuals increased authority to challenge books available in K-12 school libraries. It mandated that materials be age-appropriate and sparked debates over banned books, particularly those featuring race-related content or LGBTQ characters. Notable titles like “Maus” and “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” found themselves among the banned works.
While the 2022 law stirred criticism, it also presented logistical hurdles as objections inundated school districts. The governor’s office acknowledges these challenges, framing the new legislation as a means to shield schools from undue politicization and disruption during the book review process.
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