1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

This bill represents a concerning trend of increasing censorship and book bans in Texas schools. It would give parents an outsized influence in determining which books are suitable for school libraries, potentially leading to the removal of valuable educational materials that offer diverse perspectives and experiences. While parents should have a voice, the final decision on library contents should remain with professional educators and librarians who understand the pedagogical value of different works. The vague language around "indecent" or "profane" content leaves too much room for subjectivity and risks shutting out important books dealing with issues like race, sexuality, and gender identity. A well-rounded education requires exposure to a wide range of viewpoints and stories that reflect our society's diversity. Rather than restricting access to books, we should be empowering students to think critically and have open discussions about challenging topics. Censorship does a disservice to our children's intellectual growth and deprives them of opportunities to develop empathy and understanding. I urge you to consider the long-term consequences of this bill on students' education and reject measures that enable censorship under the guise of parental control. Our schools should be places of learning, not book banning.