Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made headlines on Tuesday by signing into law a new bill to curb objections to books in school districts across the state. The legislation, known as HB 1285, imposes restrictions on individuals without students in a particular school district who wish to raise objections to books within that district.
Under the new law’s provisions, individuals without children enrolled in the district will be limited to raising only one objection per month. Parents with children attending schools within the district, including those who homeschool their children, can file unlimited objections.
Ron DeSantis (Credits: Biography (Bio.))
In his remarks regarding the bill, Governor DeSantis emphasized the importance of prioritizing core academic subjects and avoiding classroom indoctrination. He touted Florida’s standing as a leader in education and framed the legislation as a continuation of the state’s commitment to excellence in education.
The new law’s impetus stems from the fallout of controversial 2022 legislation that granted individuals increased authority to challenge books available in K-12 school libraries.
This previous law mandated that materials be age-appropriate for students but triggered a surge in banned books across Florida, particularly those featuring race-related content or LGBTQ characters. Works like “Maus” and “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” were banned in certain districts.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (Credits: Inside Climate News)
Despite the intent of the 2022 legislation, its implementation encountered logistical hurdles as book objections inundated school districts statewide.
The governor’s office acknowledged these challenges in its statement, suggesting that the new legislation safeguards schools from activists seeking to politicize and disrupt the book review process within districts. The signing of HB 1285 represents a serious development in Florida’s education policy landscape.
The state seeks to strike a balance between parental involvement and the promotion of academic freedom within its schools. As the new law takes effect, it will likely spark further debate and scrutiny over handling controversial materials in Florida’s educational institutions.
