Less than a year after enacting a law that led to the removal of numerous books from public school libraries, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill amending the law to restrict the number of books and materials that can be challenged within school districts. The new bill, effective July 1, limits Florida residents without children in a district to object to only one material per month, while allowing parents with children enrolled in schools to file challenges without limitation or penalty. DeSantis acknowledged that some school districts may have overreached in removing titles from classrooms.
During the first half of the 2023-2024 school year, a report from PEN America revealed that Florida had the highest number of book bans in comparison to other states, with over 3,000 bans affecting 11 school districts within the state. One school district, Escambia County Public Schools, had over 1,600 cases of book bans and is currently facing a lawsuit in connection to these removals. DeSantis has rejected claims that Florida bans books in schools but has recognized the abuse of the challenge process by some individuals.
DeSantis previously signed a law, HB 1069, that restricts sexual education and discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity in Pre-K through 8th grade. This legislation allows for the removal of classroom books and materials deemed to include “pornography” or explicit sexual content through a petition process by parents and citizens. Individual school districts are responsible for handling objections and resolving issues related to challenged material. Despite the removal of books from schools, DeSantis maintains that Florida does not ban books and has expressed concerns over the abuse of the challenge process.
PEN America’s report highlighted Florida as the state with the highest number of book bans, with other states like Wisconsin, Iowa, Texas, Kentucky, and Virginia also reporting significant bans. Books discussing sex, abortion, and race are commonly targeted for censorship, with claims of being sexually explicit or obscene. The report also noted a lack of consistent legal definitions regarding sexually explicit content, leading to confusion about what is permitted. Books discussing race, racism, and LGBTQ+ themes, particularly transgender identities and experiences, are also frequently targeted for removal.
Sabrina Baêta of PEN America’s Freedom to Read program emphasized that book bans pose a threat to American values and free expression, targeting narratives related to race, sexual identities, and sexual content. The bans are described as broad, harsh, and undermining the education of students across the country. Florida’s book ban instances serve as a red alert for those concerned about free expression and education, indicating a disturbing trend of censorship that jeopardizes the learning experience for countless students.
