21′ SB1216/HB0800 – Niceley. Griffey
Bill Description
Textbooks - As introduced, prohibits the state textbook and instructional materials quality commission from recommending or listing, the state board of education from approving for local adoption or from granting a waiver for, and LEAs and public charter schools from adopting or using textbooks and instructional materials or supplemental instructional materials that promote, normalize, support, or address lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, or transgender issues or lifestyles.
TLRC Position
TLRC supports this bill protecting children from influences that might alter the direction of their lives in ways that are contrary to their nature. These anomalies will emerge naturally in good time if they exist, and families can seek out their own solutions.
TLRC Observed Process
The bill passed through two committees on to Finance, Ways and Means on a partisan basis. It went no further, and like many other worthy bills, with no explanation did not reappear.
Checking the fiscal note, which is often the reason for a bill to stall, we found that fiscal review considered the idea that LEA’s (local education authorities) would have to replace existing textbooks at great expense, but could not determine an actual cost.
We maintain that, if our current textbooks contain material that promotes these controversial choices, then those textbooks need replacing no matter what the cost.
Regarding the bill, there appears to be no justifiable reason for it not to have been further debated and voted upon.
It was not taken up in the senate.
Vote Result: Committee Only
