HB 5021 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the standards for public school library materials.

HB 5021 requires Texas public school libraries to adopt collection development policies that prohibit materials deemed harmful under Texas Penal Code §43.24, sexually explicit by vendors, vulgar/unsuitable per *Pico v. Board of Education*, or listed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as restricted. It mandates that all library materials - including classroom, school, and online catalogs - must comply with these standards, while requiring schools to communicate with parents about collections and prohibiting removal of materials based solely on ideas or author/character backgrounds. The policy must also recognize that obscene content lacks First Amendment protection and affirm parents' primary role in student access decisions. This law applies to all public school libraries starting the 2025-2026 school year.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Apr 3, 2025 Last action Apr 3, 2025
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Total actions
3
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0
Committee
1
Apr 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Public Education
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
1 primary · 10 co-sponsors

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