Oklahoma House Bill HB1811

Oklahoma 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Schools; prohibiting schools from maintaining certain books or materials; emergency.

Impact

The implications of HB1811 extend to how schools manage educational content and respond to parental concerns. The bill allows parents or legal guardians to file complaints regarding materials that are not reviewed by the State Textbook Committee, empowering them to challenge content deemed inappropriate. Upon receiving a complaint, schools are required to conduct a thorough review and respond to the complainant within a stipulated time frame. If the school board denies the complaint, the parent has the right to appeal to the State Board of Education, which introduces an additional layer of oversight and potential legal recourse that could alter the landscape of school governance significantly.

Summary

House Bill 1811 proposes significant changes to the policies governing public schools in Oklahoma. This bill prohibits public school districts and charter schools from maintaining or promoting books or materials that violate state laws on child pornography and obscenity. It mandates that each school district must establish a written policy, approved by the local school board, that outlines the process for challenging specific materials in classrooms and libraries. The objective of this bill is to ensure the safeguarding of students from potentially harmful content as defined by state law, reportedly aiming to enhance the role of parental input in educational settings.

Contention

While proponents argue that the bill is essential for protecting children from inappropriate materials, critics view it as an infringement on academic freedom and a potential mechanism for censorship. There are concerns that the process for complaints might encourage an environment of fear where educators self-censor, thereby stifling diverse viewpoints and discussions in educational settings. The bill’s enforcement of strict materials review policies may lead to significant debates over what constitutes acceptable content in schools, reflecting broader societal debates on children's education and parental rights. Additionally, exclusion of materials approved by the State Textbook Committee may lead to inconsistencies in what is available for educational purposes across different school districts.