Texas Bill Would Remove Protection For School Librarians

April 5, 2025 – Texas House Bill 412, authored by Representative Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston), has successfully passed the House with bipartisan support (99-31), signaling a significant shift in the legal landscape concerning the distribution of potentially harmful material to minors. The bill seeks to eliminate broad exemptions in current Texas law that have shielded school officials, librarians, and other individuals from prosecution when distributing such content, provided it was for an “educational purpose.”

This legislative effort is rooted in concerns voiced by parents and Republican lawmakers regarding the presence of sexually explicit books within Texas public and school libraries. Proponents of the bill argue that these exemptions have allowed inappropriate material to be accessible to children, necessitating a change to ensure greater accountability. The passage of HB 412 is viewed as a victory for GOP lawmakers who have made the removal of such content a priority in their broader child protection agenda.

However, the legislation faced opposition from House Democrats during the debate. They argued that the bill represents an attack on school librarians and could have a chilling effect on the availability of diverse and relevant educational resources. Despite these concerns, the bipartisan vote in favor of the bill indicates a widespread desire among lawmakers to address the issue of harmful content accessible to minors in educational settings. State Representative Mitch Little (R-Frisco) emphasized the intent behind the bill, stating that educators who intentionally or recklessly expose children to harmful material “should be in fear in the State of Texas.” The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.