California Gov. Newsom to Sign Bill Prohibiting School Book Bans

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to sign a bill designed to prohibit schools from implementing book bans because of content related to racial or gender diversity.

"California is the true freedom state: a place where families — not political fanatics — have the freedom to decide what’s right for them," the Democratic governor said in a statement. "All students deserve the freedom to read and learn about the truth, the world, and themselves."

Passed by the state's legislature last week, the legislation issues fines to school districts that ban books.

Book bans have been a key issue for the California governor in recent months as school districts nationwide have faced scrutiny for the books their libraries do or do not offer.

Newsom sent a letter in June to county school superintendents warning them of consequences if they chose to implement book bans and weighed in on a controversy in Temecula after the school board banned a book that mentioned Harvey Milk, a gay member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors who was assassinated in 1978.