House Bill 636 or “Promoting Wholesome Content for Students” would create a community library advisory committee of parents and school staffers to recommend approving or denying materials.
The bill passed the House 63-46 last week with Republicans supporting the legislation and Democrats opposing it, according to WRAL.com.
“Since the beginning of our country, we have recognized the importance of protecting the innocence of children, and that’s what this bill is all about,” said one of the bill’s sponsors, Rep. Neal Jackson, R-Moore and Randolph.
However, critics of the bill called it tantamount to a book ban, arguing it could create legal and administrative burdens for schools.
“All we’re really doing is inserting government and politics back into classrooms and suppressing ideas and free speech to the detriment of our entire society,” said Rep. Laura Budd, D-Mecklenburg.
