Indiana lawmakers pass bill to ban books from school libraries

Indiana lawmakers have approved a bill that requires school districts and charter schools to publicly post their library catalogs and establish a procedure to allow parents and community members to file challenges to books they believe to be inappropriate. The bill also bars public school employees from using a book’s educational value as a legal defense against charges they distributed material that is harmful to minors. The legislation has been controversial, with some Democrats expressing concern that it could lead to the removal of books about race and LGBTQ identities.