HB 899 Summary

• Requires district school boards to adopt a policy allowing parents and taxpayers to object to specific instructional materials based on criteria including quality, objectivity, age-appropriateness, accuracy, and technical quality.

• Establishes a formal objection process with a 30-day petition period, mandatory public hearing within 30 days, and right to appeal district decisions to the district school board with potential damages, injunctive relief, and attorney fees available.

• Allows parents or taxpayers to further appeal district school board decisions to circuit court with original and exclusive jurisdiction to seek damages or injunctive relief.

• Requires instructional materials to meet state standards or standards equivalent to or better than applicable state standards, and mandates that all materials be made publicly accessible online at least 7 days before school board hearings.

• Requires school boards implementing district instructional materials programs to ensure at least one-third of review committee members are parents with children in public schools, and mandates that parents and taxpayers have full access to school library media services.