HB3690 - Relating to a review of library materials included in public school libraries; providing a civil penalty.

  89R13855 RAL-D     By: Isaac H.B. No. 3690       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a review of library materials included in public school   libraries; providing a civil penalty.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 35, Education Code, is amended by adding   Section 35.0061 to read as follows:           Sec.   35.0061.     REVIEW OF LIBRARY MATERIAL. (a) Each school   district and open-enrollment charter school shall adopt a policy   under which any resident of this state may request a review of   library material in the catalog of a district or school library to   ensure compliance with state law and district or school policies.           (b)     A review of library materials under this section must be   conducted:                 (1)     in addition to any review a school district or   open-enrollment charter school conducts in accordance with Section   35.006; and                 (2)     by the board of trustees of the school district or   the governing body of the open-enrollment charter school.           (c)     A policy adopted under Subsection (a) must require the   board of trustees of a school district or the governing body of an   open-enrollment charter school to make a determination regarding   the library material at a public meeting not later than the sum of:                 (1)     the 30th day after the date the request is made;   and                 (2)     seven days for each library material requested to   be reviewed after the first.           (d)     Each school district and open enrollment charter school   shall post on the district's or school's Internet website:                 (1)  the policy adopted under Subsection (a); and                 (2)     the determination for each review conducted under   this section.           (e)     A member of the board of trustees of a school district or   governing body of an open-enrollment charter school who fails to   conduct a review as required by this section is liable to the state   for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $500 for each   violation.          SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act, each school district and open-enrollment charter   school shall adopt the policy for the review of library materials   required by Section 35.0061, Education Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026   school year.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.