California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law, AB 1078, that prevents school boards from banning books and educational materials focused on diversity and inclusivity. Effective immediately, schools violating this law could face fines.

The legislation also empowers Tony Thurmond, the state’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, to purchase educational materials for schools and impose fines on non-compliant school boards.

Newsom described the law as “long overdue,” aiming to counter the rising trend of book bans and censorship in schools.

Thurmond, who recently announced his gubernatorial run for 2026, emphasized that the law aligns with California’s commitment to education and knowledge. The law comes amid a 33% increase in school book bans across the U.S., according to a report by PEN America.

Read Full Story
NPR Rating