Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Senate Bill 63

The fine print of SB25-063: Speak up about inappropriate books in schools, get doxxed
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The fine print of SB25-063: Speak up about inappropriate books in schools, get doxxed

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice When Colorado lawmakers debated Senate Bill 25-063—titled the “Freedom to Read Act”—most eyes focused on the usual battle lines: controversial books, age appropriateness and the role of librarians. But tucked inside the bill is something less publicized—and more dangerous to parents who dare to speak up. Under Section 4(f), any parent who requests that a book be reconsidered for a school library will have their name made public. That request becomes a CORA-able document, meaning it falls under the Colorado Open Records Act. And in today’s politically charged environment, that’s all it takes to make someone a target. Rep. Ken DeGraaf, who opposed the bill during the April 3 House floor debate, warned that the measure gives...
Senate Bill 63, which would set parameters for removal of books in school libraries, advances
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Senate Bill 63, which would set parameters for removal of books in school libraries, advances

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Should state officials weigh in on how books are selected in your child's school library? That's the core question behind Colorado's Senate Bill 25-063, the 'Freedom to Read' bill, which was discussed this week in a Senate Education Committee hearing. The bill, sponsored by Senators Lisa Cutter and Dafna Michaelson Jenet, requires school districts to set written policies for selecting, reconsidering and removing library materials.  It prohibits books from being removed based on the author’s identity, political objections or sexual content, unless they meet the Supreme Court’s obscenity standard under Miller v. California.  Only parents of current students would be allowed to challenge books, and a title could not ...