SB1700 SCHOOL BOOK BAN
Requires the Arizona Department of Education to create and maintain a list of books that would not be allowed in public school classrooms and libraries; allows any parent to file a complaint “the parent finds the book to be lewd or sexual in nature, to promote gender fluidity or gender pronouns or to groom children into normalizing pedophilia”. 🚫 No on SB1700.
Bill sponsored by Justine Wadsack • RTS: For (67) – Against (537)
- In addition to requiring the creation of a banned books list for public schools, and SB1700 would allow any parent to file a complaint with the Department of Education about any book which could result in that book being banned for all children in the public education system.
- The law would no allow for any district exceptions to the banned list
- The list of banned items could include any item made available to students electronically or in print.
- The bill allows a book to be contested or banned if “the parent finds the book to be lewd or sexual in nature, to promote gender fluidity or gender pronouns or to groom children into normalizing pedophilia” (see bill text, fact sheet). Wadsack continues to amplify hysteria that dangerously equates LGBTQ+ content with sexuality and pedophilia.
- 🚨 Wadsack admits she has not read most of the books mentioned and has willfully mischaracterized the examples she intends to ban.
- AZ law already protects children from sexually explicit materials in schools (ARS 15-120.03) and provides avenues for the community to review and provide feedback of school books and materials (ARS 15-721).
- This is bad for our children’s education. Commonly challenged books include some that are typically included in AP course requirements and are expected reading for college-bound youth.
- Arizonans do not support book bans and censorship, especially from a small but vocal minority of culture warriors. To quote Sen. Christine Marsh, “there’s no room for banning books in the classroom simply because it upsets one group of people at the expense of so many others.”
- What should we expect from our libraries, including those in schools? Read the Library Bill of Rights to learn more!
