Texas Senate Bill 13 (SB 13) – Giving more rights? Or Removing Them….

by Suzanne Lyons, MLS, MA

​SB13 was passed and signed by Governor Abbott on 6/20/25 and is effective as of 9/1/25. This legislation deals only with library materials, not instructional/textbook materials.

So what does this mean to you?  One of the most important (and really least controversial) aspects of this legislation is that parents have the ultimate right over what their child reads as found in the school library.  As a parent, you have always had the right to say what your child can and cannot read.  What no one has, however, is the right to say what other children can or cannot read.  And there it is. 

One of the elements featured prominently as a part of SB 13 is the addition of language that limits purchase of materials identified as inappropriate, though the definition of inappropriate varies greatly.  There is no magic wand that can show definitively that an item is inappropriate.  It may be inappropriate for particular grades, or it may be written at a reading level inappropriate for some students, but it is not a one size fits all designation.  So it’s really back to the idea of someone deciding on behalf of all, not their individual child, what materials can be in the school library. In a number of instances, materials flagged as inappropriate can target LGBTQIA+ youth and communities of color in particular, under the false banner of “parental control.”

Here are some big issues being introduced in SB13:

• Parental rights go beyond only what their child is checking out.  The bill gives  increased transparency and control to parents such as requiring access to the online library catalog for parents, and to provide a record of what their child is checking out. Further, the district must develop a process for parents to submit a list of materials that their child should be restricted from accessing. 
  • ​The formation of a Local School Library Advisory Council is optional, but if the district opts to form this, the council duties include recommending to the school board:  considering materials consistent to local community values; considering grade level appropriateness of materials; strategies for collaboration with community organizations including the public library; and  policies for materials challenges including actions resulting from challenges. There is no requirement for a librarian, who is trained and certified in selecting materials that best meet the needs of campus students, to be included as a member of the council.
  • The school board must consider council recommendations for adding or removing materials and consider council recommendations prior to making policy changes.
• Materials can no longer be ordered immediately by campuses.  The school board must approve all materials being added to the school library, whether they are purchased or donated.  A list of proposed purchases/donations (including book fair purchases) must be made available for public review for 30 days prior to purchase and being added to the library collection. After that time, it is the responsibility of the board to approve the list and continue with the purchasing process.  This approval cannot take place until the end of the 30 day review period.  As a practical matter, this will result in a significant time lag in getting new materials on the library shelves.

There are many other elements involved in SB 13 which will require the district to make significant process modifications on how and what materials can be added to school library collections in order to be in compliance with this legislation.

All students should be able to access materials that reflect who they are, and be windows to worlds outside of their own. The impact of this level of oversight will make a significant impact on how students can make free reading choices.

IMAGE SOURCE: https://tfn.org/back-door-book-ban-sb-13/ (May 2, before implementation guidance was issued.)

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