Florida legislature considers bill that would place broad restrictions on school library materials

In January 2026, Florida state legislators introduced House Bill 1119, which would amend the law governing school districts’ processes for reviewing objections to library materials alleged to contain sexual content. The legislation would require districts to review objections to school library materials deemed “harmful to minors,” but would prohibit districts from considering the artistic, literary, political, or scientific value of the materials. The legislation would also require districts to remove challenged materials while they are under review, incentivizing frivolous complaints, and would require districts to completely discontinue the use of materials deemed “harmful” to minors of any age, risking limiting older students’ access to materials appropriate for their age and maturity. 

On February 19, FIRE wrote to the Senate committee reviewing the legislation, explaining that it raises serious First Amendment concerns and urging the committee to reject it.