Commonwealth Policy Center

An important parental rights bill passed the State Senate and heads to the Kentucky House. Senator Jason Howell (R-Murray) sponsored Senate Bill 5 and said the intention of his bill is give parents recourse when it comes to controversial and potential harmful resources exposed to their kids in public schools. The bill guarantees parents would have a say if public schools introduce “material that they believe is harmful to their family values and interest.” It “defines sex-related materials, programs, or events that a parent may consider to be offensive or unsuitable for the minors.” Some are calling it calling this a book-banning bill, but aren’t there certain materials not suitable for children? Obscene and pornographic books like GenderQueer is still on bookshelves in Louisville public schools, and this bill gives parents a way to remove it.