AP

Bill to regulate explicit books in school libraries killed

Jan 26, 2022, 8:23 PM | Updated: Jan 27, 2022, 10:31 am

Virginia State Sen. Bill DeSteph, R-Virginia Beach, right, along with Sen. John Cosgrove, R-Chesape...

Virginia State Sen. Bill DeSteph, R-Virginia Beach, right, along with Sen. John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, left, look at the vote tally board during the Senate session at the Capitol Thursday Jan. 27, 2022, in Richmond, Va. A Virginia Senate committee killed legislation, sponsored by DeSteph, that would have required parental consent for students to check out sexually explicit books from school libraries. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

(AP Photo/Steve Helber)


              Virginia State Sen. Bill DeSteph, R-Virginia Beach, looks at the vote tally board during the Senate session at the Capitol Thursday Jan. 27, 2022, in Richmond, Va. A Virginia Senate committee killed legislation, sponsored by DeSteph, that would have required parental consent for students to check out sexually explicit books from school libraries. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
            
              Virginia State Sen. Bill DeSteph, R-Virginia Beach, right, along with Sen. John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, left, look at the vote tally board during the Senate session at the Capitol Thursday Jan. 27, 2022, in Richmond, Va. A Virginia Senate committee killed legislation, sponsored by DeSteph, that would have required parental consent for students to check out sexually explicit books from school libraries. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — A Virginia Senate committee on Thursday killed legislation that would have required parental consent for students to check out sexually explicit books from school libraries.

Sen. Bill DeSteph, R-Virginia Beach, introduced the bill after parents across the state complained about library books that included graphic depictions of sex acts. It was one of several school-related issues that animated Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s victory in November.

The legislation initially required school systems to give parents a say in the review of materials before they were made available in school libraries. But DeSteph significantly reworked his bill ahead of Thursday’s committee meeting. The revised proposal that was quashed would have simply required written permission from a parent before a student could check out a book with explicit content.

“We’re not trying to ban books. We’re trying not trying to burn books,” DeSteph said.

The bill’s defeat could be an early indication of how Youngkin’s proposed education reforms will fare in the Senate, which is narrowly controlled by Democrats.

Democrats have a 21-19 advantage in the full Senate, and a 9-6 advantage in the Education and Health Committee. One moderate Democrat on the committee, Lynwood Lewis, sided with Republicans. But another moderate Democrat who sometimes sides with the GOP on education matters, Chap Petersen, voted to kill the bill, and it lost on an 8-7 vote.

“I don’t think we should be involved in micromanaging school libraries.” Petersen said. “The problem is that you’re going to sweep up books that you don’t intend to sweep up.”

Petersen cited books like “The Kite Runner,” which has sexually explicit passages but is generally recognized as a classic work of literature.

Supporters of the legislation have pointed to books including “Gender Queer,” a graphic novel by Maia Kobabe, which contains explicit illustrations of oral sex and masturbation. The book has been the focus of ire from multiple Republican governors. Virginia school districts have responded in varied ways to complaints about the book: Fairfax County, for example, temporarily pulled the book but restored it after conducting a review. Loudoun County Public Schools chose to pull the book.

Sen. John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, said Democrats are failing to heed the message voters sent last year.

“This last election showed us parents want to have more control over what’s happening in schools,” he said.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

Image: A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after ...

Associated Press

Authorities identify 2 bodies recovered at site of Baltimore bridge collapse

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

17 hours ago

Photo: Mountaineer Jim Whittaker has died at 95....

Gene Johnson, The Associated Press

Lou Whittaker, among the most famous American mountaineers, has died at age 95

Lou Whittaker, a legendary American mountaineer who helped lead ascents of Mount Everest, K2 and Denali, has died at age 95.

17 hours ago

File photo: Former Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks in Washington on Jan. 18, 2024....

Associated Press

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82

Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in 2000, has died.

18 hours ago

islamic state attack...

Vanessa Gera, The Associated Press

What we know after the Islamic State group claims responsibility for Moscow massacre

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for an attack on a suburban Moscow concert hall that killed at least 133 people.

4 days ago

Moscow shooting...

The Associated Press

Russia: 60 dead, 145 injured in concert hall raid; Islamic State group claims responsibility

Assailants burst into a concert hall in Moscow on Friday and sprayed the crowd with gunfire, killing over 60 people, injuring more than 100.

6 days ago

Photo: Britain's Kate, Duchess of Cambridge visits 282 (East Ham) Squadron, RAF Air Cadets, Cornwel...

Associated Press

Kate Middleton announces she has cancer, is undergoing chemotherapy

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, says she is undergoing chemotherapy to treat cancer. She has been out of view since Christmas.

6 days ago

Bill to regulate explicit books in school libraries killed