South Carolina Board of Education advances regulations for book challenges

Columbia, S.C. (WCIV)–The state could have the final say over books challenged in local school libraries.

On Tuesday, the State Board of Education passed a regulation that would make books in public South Carolina schools and classroom libraries controlled by the state instead of the school board. The decision is now sent to the South Carolina General Assembly, where, if it clears the Senate and the House, it could become law.

Under the new prospective regulations, if a book is challenged, it is not only at risk of being removed from a school district but also from libraries in the entire state.

The pending change in regulation would also set some ground rules for challenging a book.

Only parents or guardians of a student would be able to challenge a book, with a limit of five complaints made each month.

The South Carolina Department of Education would also issue a form for people to challenge books. Also, when making a complaint, the reference to FCC guidelines would not be allowed, meaning no one can point to language in a book with a complaint that the same language can’t be shown on television.

Recently, one woman in Dorchester District Two challenged more than 150 books without having a child in the school district.