Governor Lee Pushes For Age Appropriate Content In School Libraries
Photo Credit: Gov. Bill Lee / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
In his annual address to the Tennessee General Assembly, Governor Bill Lee proposed a new law “that will ensure parents know what materials are available to students in their libraries.” Lee went on to say, “This law will also create greater accountability at the local level so parents are empowered to make sure content is age appropriate.”
Several bills have been filed so far this legislative session addressing school libraries including a proposal that would remove any “obscene materials or materials harmful to minors” from public school libraries.
A bill that applies not only to curriculum, but also materials found in school libraries, would ban schools from using textbooks that “promote, normalize, support, or address lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) issues or lifestyles.”
Lee is running for reelection this year and has filed a bill that would require the contents of school libraries to be made accessible online. Libraries would also be required to review their policies regularly to make sure materials are age appropriate and suitable for the children that will have access to them.
The bill, filed Monday, is likely to pass in the Tennessee General Assembly as it has the governor’s backing.
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Country singer John Rich met with the governor and Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn in January. In a tweet, Rich said “They told me new legislation will be put on the docket this session to deal with “literature” that our kids are being exposed to containing obscene and pornographic content. They listened. We’ll see.”
It appears Lee has made good on that promise.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
