California Has Banned Book Bans, Bucking GOP Censorship Trend

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed legislation Monday prohibiting schools from banning books because they highlight race, sexual orientation or other protected characteristics, a rebuttal to efforts in Florida and other GOP-led states to severely restrict students’ reading materials.

The legislation authored by state Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D) enacts a financial penalty against school districts that make “efforts to categorically exclude” books related to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and other demographics that have faced discrimination.

Gavin Newsom Bolsters Protections For LGBTQ People After Controversial Veto

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed several bills Saturday aimed at strengthening the state’s protections for LGBTQ+ people, a day after issuing a controversial veto that was criticized by advocates.

The new laws include legislation that focuses on support for LGBTQ+ youth. One law sets timelines for required cultural competency training for public school teachers and staff, while another creates an advisory task force to determine the needs of LGBTQ+ students and help advance supportive initiatives.

A third requires families to show that they can and are willing to meet the needs of a child in foster care regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.