The Governor of California, Gavin Newson, signed AB 1078, a bill by Assemblyman Dr. Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley” which bans “book bans” in schools, prohibits censorship of instructional materials, and strengthens California law requiring schools to provide all students access to textbooks that teach about California’s diverse communities.
“From Temecula to Tallahassee, fringe ideologues across the country are attempting to whitewash history and ban books from schools,” said Newsom in the press release from the Governor’s Office. “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.”
AB 1078 gives the Superintendent of Public Instruction the authority to buy textbooks for students in a school district, recoup costs, and assess a financial penalty if a school board willfully chooses not to provide sufficient standards-aligned instructional materials. The law also prohibits school boards from banning instructional materials or library books because they provide inclusive and diverse perspectives in compliance with state law.
This move comes as the Association of Library Association reports that between January 1 and August 31, 2023, OIF reported 695 attempts to censor library materials and services and documented challenges to 1,915 unique titles – a 20% increase from the same reporting period in 2022, which saw the highest number of book challenges since ALA began compiling the data more than 20 years ago. In California alone, there were 38 attempts to restrict access to books, and 78 titles were challenged in those attempts.
This bill is part of California’s Family Agenda from the Governor’s Office, which focuses on four beliefs:
- Freedom to Decide: All parents deserve to share in key school decisions.
- Freedom to Thrive: All students deserve a fair start in life.
- Freedom to Learn: All students deserve to learn about the world and themselves.
- Freedom to Succeed: All students deserve to build real-life skills and a career.
“When we restrict access to books in school that properly reflect our nation’s history and unique voices, we eliminate the mirror in which young people see themselves reflected, and we eradicate the window in which young people can comprehend the unique experiences of others,” said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom. “In short, book bans harm all children and youth, diminishing communal empathy and serving to further engender intolerance and division across society. We Californians believe all children must have the freedom to learn about the world around them and this new law is a critical step in protecting this right.”
“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 Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson.“Today, California has met this historical imperative and we will be ready to meet the next one.”
The bill was signed into law on September 25 and will have a sweeping impact on the 10,000+ schools in the state.
“AB 1078 sends a strong signal to the people of California — but also to every American — that in the Golden State — we don’t ban books — we cherish them,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. “This law will serve as a model for the nation that California recognizes and understands the moment we are in – and while some want to roll back the clock on progress, we are doubling down on forward motion. Rather than limiting access to education and flat-out banning books like other states, we are embracing and expanding opportunities for knowledge and education, because that’s the California way.”
