Oklahoma Senate Bill SB1208

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/24
• Refer: 2/6/24

Caption

Schools; requiring school districts and charter schools to submit certain list of library materials; providing process for reporting violations; providing penalties. Effective date. Emergency.

Impact

The legislation introduces specific processes for parents or guardians to report suspected violations concerning inappropriate materials in school libraries. Upon receiving a report, the State Department of Education has fourteen business days to investigate the matter and notify the school district or charter school. If a violation is confirmed, the affected school has the right to request a hearing with the State Board of Education. The bill also stipulates that failure to comply with its requirements may result in significant penalties, including a potential five percent reduction in state funding in the following fiscal year.

Summary

Senate Bill 1208 aims to regulate the accessibility of materials in school libraries across the state of Oklahoma. The bill requires each school district and charter school to submit an annual list of library materials to the State Department of Education. This list must be submitted by October 1 of each year, starting in 2024. Furthermore, the bill defines 'pornographic' material and 'sexualized content', explicitly stating that such materials must not be accessible to students under the age of eighteen. Schools are mandated to create written policies for reviewing library material to ensure age-appropriate access and to address complaints about library content.

Contention

The bill has sparked debates regarding censorship and educational freedom. Proponents argue that it is essential to protect students from inappropriate content and to uphold community standards regarding education. Conversely, critics express concerns that the bill could enable overreach and stifle access to valuable educational resources under the guise of protecting students. The key point of contention lies in defining what constitutes 'pornographic' and 'sexualized' content, as well as who holds the authority to regulate and enforce these standards within educational settings.