OLYMPIA, Wash. — A new bill may soon make it illegal for Washington school districts to ban books with content based on certain populations.
The Senate passed House Bill 2331 on Thursday, Feb. 22. It was passed 29-20, along party lines with Democrats voting for the bill and Republicans against.
The bill would prohibit school boards from banning books with content on populations considered "protected," which includes sex, race, religion or sexual orientation. The bill includes any textbooks, instructional material or other student curriculum.
However, school districts are able to prevent individual students from accessing books if a parent or guardian makes a complaint.
Sen. Emily Randall, D-Bremerton, is an openly LGBTQ+ legislator and spoke in support of the bill.
”LGBTQ young people exist in Mead, and in Kennewick, and in Central Kitsap school districts, in Longview, just as they do in Capitol Hill and the Seattle school district," Randall said. "We are everywhere and we deserve to feel welcomed and affirmed everywhere.”
However, Sen. Brad Hawkins, R-East Wenatchee, said he is opposed to taking the authority from school boards to make choices that impact their own districts.
”To reach into their business at the local level and start prohibiting things and taking away their abilities to make the changes they feel are in the best interest of their communities?" Hawkins said. "It’s the wrong approach.”
The bill now heads to Gov. Jay Inslee's desk.
A spokesperson for Inslee said while the office has not reviewed the bill yet, Inslee "has been very critical of attempts to ban books."