Florida schools are seeing increased book ban attempts, prompting Gov. DeSantis to revise policies that facilitated challenges to school materials. In 2022, DeSantis signed HB 1467, mandating a searchable list of books in schools and public comment on new materials.
Other legislation, including the Parental Rights in Education Bill and the Stop WOKE Act, restricts content on race and LGBTQ identities in schools. Florida law also permits parents and residents to object to books for review and potential removal.
Since these laws, book banning attempts in Florida have risen, according to the ALA and PEN America. DeSantis has now signed HB 1285, limiting book objections by those without a child accessing school materials, but parents can still object unlimitedly.
Critics argue these policies could lead to censorship. In the first half of this school year, Florida had the highest number of ban cases with 3,135 attempts across 11 districts, according to PEN America. Most of the books targeted are by or about people of color and the LGBTQ community.
DeSantis’ office states the policy change protects schools from activists politicizing the book review process.
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