NC S873

Establishes a three-tier appeal process for instructional material removals: parents can appeal superintendent decisions to the local board of education if at least 4% of parents at that school request it, and can further appeal local board decisions to the State Board of Education.

Requires superintendent or designee to make initial decisions on whether to remove materials challenged on grounds that they are educationally unsuitable, pervasively vulgar, or inappropriate to the age, maturity, or grade level of students.

Local boards and State Board of Education can only overturn removal decisions with a two-thirds majority vote; State Board decisions are not subject to judicial review.

Prohibits appeals based solely on material relating to the study of roles and contributions of protected classes under federal law unless the material is discriminatory or contains bias against the protected class.

Appropriates $100,000 in nonrecurring funds to the Department of Public Instruction for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to develop guidance materials and enforce the act; effective July 1, 2024.