PETITION: Oppose HB374. March 3 Update - The bill may pass but has been neutered
We are concerned that the Utah House of Representatives is considering a bill that perpetuates the lie that books in school libraries are dangerous to kids.
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- PETITION: I oppose Utah HB374 - March 3 Update
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- Take Action!
- PETITION: I oppose Utah HB374 - March 3 Update
(Note: This petition is for Utah residents -- If you live outside of Utah, please sign this petition instead.)
March 3 Update: Fifth Substitute Passed By House
On Tuesday, the 5th Substitute bill was passed by the House and sent to Senate Rules Committee. While there is a good chance that the 5th Substitute will pass the Senate, all of the problematic language from the original bill has been eliminated, and the bill now "requires a local education agency to include parents who are reflective of a school's community when determining whether an instructional material is sensitive material."
While we may not have been able to stop the bill, it has been effectively neutered of the language that we were concerned about. Thank you for speaking up on behalf of our students, teachers, and librarians -- and on behalf of good, reality-based lawmaking!
Feb 26 Update: Second Substitute Bill Passes Out of Committee
Yesterday (2/22), a second substitute version of HB374 was introduced and passed out the Public Education Committee for consideration by the full House. While the second substitute is significantly neutered, the sponsor and supporters are still perpetuating the lie that books in school libraries are dangerous to kids. We share Representative Kwan's concern that if this bill passes it will be used as a pretext to remove books by Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ authors. It is the removal of these books that reflect the experiences of traditionally marginalized students that represents the threat to the well-being and success of our children.
Feb 23 Update: Good news, but still reason for concern
Yesterday (2/22), a substitute version of HB374 was put forward that eliminated many problematic aspects including the threat of librarians and teachers being sued for $10,000, and the inclusion of "gratuitous use of vulgar, profane, or obscene language" in the definition of "sensitive materials."
While the bill is not as egregious, it is still highly problematic because it continues to broadly label many books and topics as “sensitive material” if there is any “discussion or representation of sexual conduct.” There are many great works of literature used in our schools that are age-appropriate that would still be at risk of removal under this definition. Labeling and prohibiting materials and speech this broadly would result in the effective banning of many books and educational resources (that are otherwise age-appropriate and constitutionally protected) the silencing of teachers, and would create a significant chilling effect on what could be taught in our schools or placed on our libraries' shelves.
HELP US REACH MORE PEOPLE LIKE YOU!
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ORIGINAL PETITION
We are concerned that the Utah House of Representatives is considering a bill, HB374, Sensitive Materials in Schools, that would prohibit the use of many legitimate instructional materials including library books and databases as well as censor what teachers and librarians can say in the classroom -- under threat of $10,000 civil penalties.
This bill would broadly label many books and topics as “sensitive material” if there is any “gratuitous use of vulgar, profane, or obscene language” or “discussion or representation of sexual conduct.” Labeling and prohibiting materials and speech this broadly would result in the effective banning of many books and educational resources, the silencing of teachers, and would create a significant chilling effect on what could be taught in our schools.
DON'T MONETARILY INCENTIVIZE CENSORSHIP IN SCHOOLS
If HB374 is passed into law, it would create a financial incentive for parents to file numerous frivolous complaints because the accuser would stand to collect $10,000 per complaint. This would no doubt put an unmanageable strain on our schools, which are already struggling to educate our kids during a pandemic, while also dealing with the challenges of historical underfunding and understaffing. The law doesn’t even allow for schools or teachers to demonstrate that educational materials are legitimate -- they would simply have to remove all materials alleged to be in violation or face the $10,000 penalty.
Your donations help us support libraries and your First Amendment
Please consider a $10-$25 donation today.
I WANT TO ADD MY NAME AND JOIN OTHERS UTAHNS WHO OPPOSE THIS BILL
Add your name to the list if you support teachers, and oppose censoring their speech and tying their hands in the classroom, under threat of expensive litigation that will waste local taxpayer’s money when schools are forced to defend against such frivolous lawsuits that are encouraged by HB374.
(Note: This petition is for Utah residents -- If you live outside of Utah, please sign this petition instead.)
March 3 Update: Fifth Substitute Passed By House
On Tuesday, the 5th Substitute bill was passed by the House and sent to Senate Rules Committee. While there is a good chance that the 5th Substitute will pass the Senate, all of the problematic language from the original bill has been eliminated, and the bill now "requires a local education agency to include parents who are reflective of a school's community when determining whether an instructional material is sensitive material."
While we may not have been able to stop the bill, it has been effectively neutered of the language that we were concerned about. Thank you for speaking up on behalf of our students, teachers, and librarians -- and on behalf of good, reality-based lawmaking!
Feb 26 Update: Second Substitute Bill Passes Out of Committee
Yesterday (2/22), a second substitute version of HB374 was introduced and passed out the Public Education Committee for consideration by the full House. While the second substitute is significantly neutered, the sponsor and supporters are still perpetuating the lie that books in school libraries are dangerous to kids. We share Representative Kwan's concern that if this bill passes it will be used as a pretext to remove books by Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ authors. It is the removal of these books that reflect the experiences of traditionally marginalized students that represents the threat to the well-being and success of our children.
Feb 23 Update: Good news, but still reason for concern
Yesterday (2/22), a substitute version of HB374 was put forward that eliminated many problematic aspects including the threat of librarians and teachers being sued for $10,000, and the inclusion of "gratuitous use of vulgar, profane, or obscene language" in the definition of "sensitive materials."
While the bill is not as egregious, it is still highly problematic because it continues to broadly label many books and topics as “sensitive material” if there is any “discussion or representation of sexual conduct.” There are many great works of literature used in our schools that are age-appropriate that would still be at risk of removal under this definition. Labeling and prohibiting materials and speech this broadly would result in the effective banning of many books and educational resources (that are otherwise age-appropriate and constitutionally protected) the silencing of teachers, and would create a significant chilling effect on what could be taught in our schools or placed on our libraries' shelves.
HELP US REACH MORE PEOPLE LIKE YOU!
CLICK TO SHARE THIS ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER
ORIGINAL PETITION
We are concerned that the Utah House of Representatives is considering a bill, HB374, Sensitive Materials in Schools, that would prohibit the use of many legitimate instructional materials including library books and databases as well as censor what teachers and librarians can say in the classroom -- under threat of $10,000 civil penalties.
This bill would broadly label many books and topics as “sensitive material” if there is any “gratuitous use of vulgar, profane, or obscene language” or “discussion or representation of sexual conduct.” Labeling and prohibiting materials and speech this broadly would result in the effective banning of many books and educational resources, the silencing of teachers, and would create a significant chilling effect on what could be taught in our schools.
DON'T MONETARILY INCENTIVIZE CENSORSHIP IN SCHOOLS
If HB374 is passed into law, it would create a financial incentive for parents to file numerous frivolous complaints because the accuser would stand to collect $10,000 per complaint. This would no doubt put an unmanageable strain on our schools, which are already struggling to educate our kids during a pandemic, while also dealing with the challenges of historical underfunding and understaffing. The law doesn’t even allow for schools or teachers to demonstrate that educational materials are legitimate -- they would simply have to remove all materials alleged to be in violation or face the $10,000 penalty.
Your donations help us support libraries and your First Amendment
Please consider a $10-$25 donation today.
I WANT TO ADD MY NAME AND JOIN OTHERS UTAHNS WHO OPPOSE THIS BILL
Add your name to the list if you support teachers, and oppose censoring their speech and tying their hands in the classroom, under threat of expensive litigation that will waste local taxpayer’s money when schools are forced to defend against such frivolous lawsuits that are encouraged by HB374.