Bill would allow Arizona Department of Education to create banned books list

By Greg Hahne
Howard Fischer/Capitol Media Services
Published: Tuesday, March 21, 2023 - 2:22pm
Updated: Tuesday, March 21, 2023 - 6:09pm

The state Senate voted to have the Arizona Department of Education come up with a list of banned books in public schools. 

The bill would also have the department create procedures to allow parents to submit books to be included on the list.

Parents would be able object to books that are sexual in nature, or promote gender pronouns or fluidity.

Democratic Sen. Anna Hernandez disagrees with the measure.

“It is part of the human condition. You might as well include books that promote left-handedness or curly hair, which I do not have. They don't come as consequences of promotion. Gender fluidity will happen whether there are books mentioning it or not," she said. 

The bill now goes to the House. 

Politics Education