Gavin Newsom Signs Ban on Book Bans
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Monday to ban school boards from rejecting textbooks based on their teachings about the contributions of people from different racial backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identities.
Newsom called the measure “long overdue”.
“From Temecula to Tallahassee, fringe ideologues across the country are attempting to whitewash history and ban books from schools,” Newsom said in a statement taking a shot at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. “With this new law, we’re cementing California’s role as the true freedom state: a place where families – not political fanatics – have the freedom to decide what’s right for them.”
The new legislation bars school boards from banning instructional materials or library books because they provide “inclusive and diverse perspectives in compliance with state law”, according to a press release from Newsom’s office.
The bill passed the state legislature after intense debates about what role the state should have in curricula approved by local districts and how lawmakers can make sure students are exposed to diverse and accurate portrayals of history.
Few other states have passed laws punishing book restrictions with fines. Illinois’ Democratic Governor JB Pritzker earlier this year signed into law the nation’s first prohibition of book bans, which would fine public libraries for blocking content.
These book-ban laws come as school book bans and restrictions across the U.S. increased by 33% in the past school year, most of which came disproportionately from Florida, accounting for more than 40% of book bans.
