On April 15, 2025, a North Carolina House committee approved House Bill 636, which aims to ban school library books depicting sexual activity and those deemed pervasively vulgar.

The legislation seeks to empower parents by allowing them to have a greater say in which books can be allowed or banned in public and charter schools.

Democratic legislators opposed the bill, arguing it could lead to censorship and distract superintendents from their primary educational responsibilities.

Recommendations from this committee will be published online, enabling community input before local school boards make final decisions during public meetings.

The House debate became contentious, highlighting differing views between Republicans and Democrats on the implications of the bill.

Under the new law, public school superintendents will form a 'community library advisory committee' consisting of five parents and five school staff members to evaluate library materials.

The bill's passage sets the stage for potential challenges if it is vetoed by Governor Josh Stein, as it requires support from both Carver and Pierce for an override.

The bill will now proceed to the North Carolina Senate for consideration, with advocates urging for its swift passage to protect students statewide.

The bill received swift support from Republican lawmakers, reflecting a broader trend of increasing book bans across various states in the U.S.

Supporters of the bill argue it protects students from early sexualization and the harmful psychological effects of pornography exposure.

However, the term 'pervasively vulgar' is not clearly defined within the bill, raising concerns about its interpretation and potential for subjective enforcement.

A mere 10 complaints from parents, teachers, or residents could trigger a mandatory review of any book under the proposed law.