Oklahoma senator introduces book-banning bill with $10,000 payouts

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – A newly proposed state law in Oklahoma would allow parents to request certain books be removed from their children's schools and collect $10,000 each day the book remains on classroom or library shelves.

A newly proposed bill in Oklahoma would allow parents to request certain books be removed from their children's schools.
A newly proposed bill in Oklahoma would allow parents to request certain books be removed from their children's schools.  © Collage: 123RF/nui7711 & popaukropa

Senate Bill 1142, which was introduced by Republican Sen. Rob Standridge, was introduced to the Oklahoma state legislature on December 16.

The bill, if passed, would allow for parents or legal guardians who believe a book in their child's school violated the proposed bill's prohibitions to request the book's removal, and gives the school's 30 days to take action.

If the book isn't removed in that time period, the employee whose job it was to remove it would be "dismissed", and banned from being employed by another public school district or public charter school for two years.

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The bill also aims to put some power in the hands of parents and guardians, allowing them to seek "monetary damages" at a minimum of $10,000 each day the book requested for removal remains in the school.

Essentially, once a parent writes to the school requesting for the book's removal, the school has 30 days to remove it or face losing their jobs.

It's currently unclear who would be responsible for handing out the $10,000-per-day payments.

SB 1142 was introduced alongside an accompanying bill in SB 1141, which was also introduced by Sen. Standridge.

SB 1141 aims to bar colleges and universities in the states from forcing students to enroll in gender equality, racial equality, or sex education courses unless the course was required as part of an individual student's core curriculum for their degree.

In a statement released by the Oklahoma Senate, Standridge said, "Our education system is not the place to teach moral lessons that should instead be left up to parents and families."

Both bills are set to be read on the Oklahoma Senate floor on February 7, 2022. If passed, each would go into effect during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Cover photo: Collage: 123RF/nui7711 & popaukropa

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