State Sen. Hamilton files bill to require schools report library inventory to OSDE annually

Hamilton files bill to require schools to list all available library materials

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 16th) – Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, filed legislation to ensure public and charter school libraries are free from inappropriate materials. Senate Bill 1208 would require each public school district and charter school to submit an inventory of their library materials to the State Department of Education each year.

“Children are too often exposed to material that is explicit and not age appropriate, and the last place that should be occurring is in our state’s schools,” Hamilton said. “This legislation would put safeguards in place to not only ensure that students are protected from reading or viewing inappropriate content, but that the school districts are held accountable for the availability of such materials.”

Hamilton’s bill would require schools to have written policies for reviewing the educational suitability and age-appropriate nature of any material in a library, and for receiving and responding to complaints regarding books and materials in libraries.

SB 1208 can be considered during the 2024 legislative session, which begins Feb. 5.