Utah State Lawmakers Mull Changes Making It Easier To Remove Books From School Libraries

Utah lawmakers are considering a proposal that would lower the threshold for when a book can be banned statewide and would permit lawmakers to challenge books in the districts they represent.

The draft proposal, obtained by KSL TV, is still under preparation before it is introduced to the state's Education Interim Committee, which will meet next Wednesday.

The draft proposal of the legislation would permit books deemed as "objective sensitive material" by more than two school districts or more than five charter schools to be removed statewide. "Objective sensitive material" is defined as the description or depiction of "illicit sex or sexual immorality."

In a change to current state law, which only permits individuals connected to a school or district to challenge a book taught within that district, the draft proposal would permit students, parents of students, employees of the district and elected officials who represent the area to challenge books. There are 41 districts in total statewide.