Education (Libraries)

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "FREEDOM TO READ PROTECTIONS AND RESPECT FOR SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST AUTONOMY ACT"; BY ADDING SECTION 59-31-55 SO AS TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS, TO AFFIRM CERTAIN RIGHTS CONCERNING STUDENT ACCESS TO DIVERSE AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE READING MATERIAL, TO PROVIDE THE RIGHT FOR SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALISTS TO AUTONOMOUSLY MAKE CERTAIN DECISIONS ABOUT CURATING AND MAINTAINING MATERIALS IN THEIR SCHOOL LIBRARY/MEDIA CENTER COLLECTIONS, TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR FORMAL CHALLENGES TO SUCH MATERIALS, AND TO PROVIDE RELATED RIGHTS OF PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALISTS AND OTHER PUBLIC SCHOOL PROFESSIONALS WHEN PERFORMING RELATED PROFESSIONAL DUTIES IN GOOD FAITH.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 60-9-15 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER OF ALLOCATING AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED FOR AID TO COUNTY LIBRARIES, AND TO PROVIDE THAT IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THESE FUNDS COUNTY LIBRARIES MUST CERTIFY TO THE STATE LIBRARY THAT THEY DO NOT OFFER ANY BOOKS OR MATERIALS THAT APPEAL TO THE PRURIENT INTERESTS OF CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF SEVENTEEN IN CHILDREN, YOUTH, OR TEEN BOOK SECTIONS AND ARE ONLY AVAILABLE WITH PARENTAL CONSENT, AND TO PROVIDE COUNTY LIBRARIES MUST RECERTIFY COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PROVISION QUARTERLY BEFORE IT MAY RECEIVE A DISBURSEMENT OF THESE FUNDS.