By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews.com
Everything’s bigger in Texas — even the book bans.
A new education bill that could overhaul the way school libraries operate statewide is now waiting on Governor Greg Abbott’s desk. If he signs it — or simply lets it sit there collecting dust past June 22 — Senate Bill 13 (SB 13) becomes law and takes effect this fall on September 1, 2025.
And yes, it’s coming for school libraries right here in Collin County.
Passed by both chambers of the Legislature this spring, SB 13 is pitched as a victory for parental rights. It hands more power to parents and community councils when it comes to deciding which books should (or shouldn’t) sit on school library shelves. Districts like McKinney ISD, Frisco ISD, Allen ISD, Princeton ISD, and Plano ISD will all be on the front lines of implementation, with new rules to follow before the first bell rings this August.
Depending on who you ask, it’s either a needed correction or a censorship crisis in the making.
So what’s actually in this bill? Who’s cheering it on — and who’s worried? And why does it matter to families, teachers, librarians, and students across TX-03?
Let’s unpack it.
What SB 13 Would Do
Senate Bill 13 makes sweeping changes to how public school libraries are governed, including:
- Parental access and restrictions: Parents can now access their child’s full library checkout record and submit a list of books they do not want their child to read.
- Book challenges and temporary removal: Once a formal complaint is filed under a district’s policy, the challenged book must be temporarily removed from student access while under review. The process may take up to 90 days.
- Creation of School Library Advisory Councils (SLACs): Under the final bill, districts must adopt a policy allowing SLAC formation if requested by at least 10% but no more than 50 of parents of enrolled students. Each district sets the exact threshold within that range. If formed, the council must be made up primarily of parents who are not school employees. The SLAC’s role includes advising on library policies and helping determine what is appropriate for each grade level.
- 30-day community review for new materials: New or donated library materials must be posted online for at least 30 days and approved by the school board at a public meeting before they can be added to the library collection.
- Banned content categories: Materials considered “harmful,” “sexually explicit,” “pervasively vulgar,” “profane,” or “indecent” are prohibited. These terms borrow definitions from the Texas Penal Code and Texas Education Code.
Supporters See Transparency, Critics See Censorship
Supporters of SB 13 — including Senator Angela Paxton — say the bill enhances parental rights and ensures school libraries reflect community standards. “Today I filed Senate Bill 13 to address the ongoing issue of inappropriate and sexually explicit content in Texas public school libraries,” Paxton wrote in a Facebook post. In a Senate hearing that same month, she described it as “my bill to protect our children from inappropriate materials.”
Proponents argue that requiring public review and school board approval for new library books increases transparency. The bill also bars removing books solely because of an author’s identity or views — a clause some lawmakers cite to show it’s not blanket censorship.
But critics say vague language like “indecent” or “inconsistent with community values” could lead to the removal of books on race, LGBTQ+ issues, or mental health. In a San Antonio Express-News op-ed, librarian Lucy Ibarra Podmore wrote the bill “removes professional judgment from trained educators” and risks politically motivated oversight. “This isn’t about keeping kids safe — it’s about control,” she said.
Temple ISD librarian McDaniel, speaking to KWTX News, said the law “diminishes the role of librarians” and burdens school boards with extra review duties. She warned it could delay or block access to important materials, especially in growing districts.
The law also mandates that once a book is formally challenged, it must be pulled from student access during the review — which could last up to 90 days.
While supporters frame SB 13 as a step toward transparency, opponents say it risks politicizing school libraries and limiting students’ exposure to diverse perspectives — especially in contested areas like TX-03.
Why This Matters in TX-03
While SB 13 promises greater parental oversight, the bill also creates new administrative responsibilities — like public meeting notices, formal recordings, and staff reviews — but offers no additional state funding to support implementation. That means already underfunded districts must absorb the costs locally, with no help from Austin.
Meanwhile, Texas is pushing a private school voucher program that could siphon taxpayer dollars away from public schools. So it’s fair to ask: Who’s footing the bill? And how are already underfunded districts supposed to keep up with growing mandates while competing for shrinking resources?
In fast-growing TX-03, where budgets are tight and expectations are rising, those questions aren’t rhetorical — they’re urgent.
What’s Next?
Governor Abbott has until June 22 to sign or veto SB 13. If he does nothing, it becomes law on September 1 — just ahead of the new school year. Across Texas, districts are already preparing: advisory councils must be formed, policies rewritten, and communities braced for one of the most sweeping changes to school library oversight in state history.
SB 13 isn’t just about books — it’s about who gets to decide what stories our kids are allowed to read. Whether it brings clarity or chaos will depend on how it’s carried out — and who draws the line.
Editor’s Note (June 5, 2025):
A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that SB 13 required a fixed 20% parent threshold for SLAC formation. That figure came from the House version of the bill. The final enrolled version instead allows districts to set their own threshold, requiring SLAC formation if at least 10% or 50 parents, whichever is fewer, submit a formal request. We have updated the article to reflect this correction.
TX3DNews.com regrets the oversight and is committed to accurate, up-to-date local reporting.