A proposed California bill is causing a stir by aiming to impose fines on school districts that ban books deemed to offer "inclusive and diverse perspectives." Assemblymember Corey Jackson of Riverside authored the bill, AB 1078, which doesn't outright prohibit book bans but adds a financial penalty for removing books based on inclusive content.

The bill passed the Senate Education Committee in a 5-2 vote, sparking heated debate about local control versus protecting diverse viewpoints in education. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond voiced his support, emphasizing that while local control is important, it shouldn't enable the marginalization of students based on their identity or beliefs.

The passage of AB 1078 follows a recent report highlighting a concerning trend of book bans in schools. PEN America documented nearly 1,500 instances of individual book bans in the first half of the 2022-2023 school year, with a significant portion targeting books about race, racism, or featuring characters of color, as well as books with LGBTQ+ themes or characters.

PEN America's research indicates a surge in book-banning advocacy over the past two years, affecting school districts across the country. While book banning has been more prominent in certain states, the California bill signals a broader national conversation about balancing local control with ensuring equitable access to diverse literature in schools.