California governor Gavin Newsom on Monday signed a bill that prevents the state’s more than 10,000 schools from banning and censoring books over concerns regarding racial or sexual themes, resulting in fines for any school that disobeys the law.
The legislation, formally known as AB 1078, forbids school boards from removing and censoring textbooks or library books even if they do include divisive content, such as critical race theory or pornography, according to a statement issued by the governor’s office. The bill also authorizes state superintendent of public instruction Tony Thurmond to buy instructional materials for school districts, recoup costs from the purchases, and determine whether to fine school boards if they don’t comply with the state’s updated instructional standards.
The law, which took effect immediately upon Newsom’s signature, was enacted in response to the California government’s debate with school districts over whether the latter can remove or censor any books that perpetuate left-wing ideologies and immoral content. The Temecula Valley Unified School District in Riverside County, for example, faced pushback from Newsom this summer for opposing textbooks that taught about gay rights icon Harvey Milk.
“From Temecula to Tallahassee, fringe ideologues across the country are attempting to whitewash history and ban books from schools,” Newsom said after signing the bill. “With this new law, we’re cementing California’s role as the true freedom state: a place where families — not political fanatics — have the freedom to decide what’s right for them.”
Newsom’s office also posted a video on X, formerly known as Twitter, announcing the new law.
California is banning book bans and textbook censorship in our schools.
In partnership with @AsmCoreyJackson and @TonyThurmond, we’re cementing CA’s role as the true freedom state: a place where families—not political fanatics—have the freedom to decide what’s right. pic.twitter.com/0br2MQN2rm
— Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) September 26, 2023
California’s new legislation comes in direct opposition to Florida’s crackdown on sexually explicit and critical race theory-focused school books. Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order eliminating such books after parents in the state began pushing back against sexually explicit and/or racially divisive curricula. When DeSantis held a press conference to show the public the kind of content he was targeting, local news channels were forced to cut away from the event because the books on display violated FCC regulations.
In July, the Democratic governor criticized Florida and other Republican-controlled states for restricting such content from schools and libraries, claiming “education is under assault” like “I’ve never experienced in my lifetime.”
Newsom and DeSantis are set to debate at the end of November in Georgia, where they’ll likely answer questions particularly related to their stances on education and gender issues.
California assemblyman Dr. Corey Jackson, who introduced the state’s ban-on-book-bans bill in June, celebrated the signing. “It is the responsibility of every generation to continue the fight for civil and human rights against those who seek to take them away,” said Jackson. “Today, California has met this historical imperative and we will be ready to meet the next one.”