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Georgia Bill Threatens Librarians' Civil Immunity

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/02/1 .. ia-bill-threatens-librarians-civil-immunity.html
  Published in House and Home on Sunday, February 15th 2026 at 5:46 GMT by CBS News
      Locales: Georgia, UNITED STATES

Atlanta, GA - February 15th, 2026 - A controversial bill currently making its way through the Georgia legislature is sparking a heated debate over parental rights, intellectual freedom, and the role of librarians and educators in shaping young minds. House Bill 913, sponsored by Republican state Representative Matt Reeves, proposes to eliminate civil immunity for librarians and school officials regarding materials deemed "harmful" by individuals, potentially opening them up to lawsuits if parents object to the books and resources available to students.

The bill arrives amidst a national surge in book challenges, largely focused on titles dealing with LGBTQ+ themes, race, and sexuality. What began as isolated incidents in a few states has rapidly evolved into a widespread movement, fueled by organized groups advocating for increased parental control over school curricula and library collections. While proponents frame these efforts as protecting children from inappropriate content, critics argue they represent a dangerous form of censorship that stifles critical thinking and limits access to diverse perspectives.

Currently, Georgia law provides a level of protection to librarians and school officials, shielding them from civil liability related to the materials they curate. HB 913 would dismantle this safeguard, allowing individuals to directly sue those responsible for making books accessible if they believe the content is "harmful." The definition of "harmful" remains a key point of contention, as the bill lacks specific criteria, raising fears of subjective interpretation and frivolous lawsuits.

Julie Walker, president of the Georgia Library Association, expressed strong concerns about the bill's potential impact. "It's a vague and overly broad provision that would have a serious chilling effect on the ability of librarians to select materials for their communities," she stated. "Librarians are trained professionals who carefully consider the age appropriateness, literary merit, and community needs when building collections. This bill would force them to second-guess every decision, fearing legal repercussions for offering books that might be deemed objectionable by a single individual." Walker explained that the threat of litigation could lead to self-censorship, with librarians proactively removing potentially controversial titles to avoid the risk of lawsuits, thereby limiting the range of viewpoints available to students and the public.

Representative Reeves defends the bill as a necessary measure to empower parents. "This legislation provides a remedy for parents who believe their children are being exposed to harmful materials in schools and libraries," he said in a statement. He insists the bill isn't about banning books, but rather about giving parents a voice in their children's education and ensuring access to age-appropriate content. However, critics point out that existing policies already allow parents to request reviews of specific books and to discuss concerns with school officials and librarians.

The situation in Georgia mirrors similar legislative efforts across the country. In Texas, a law passed in 2023 requires schools to remove books that are deemed sexually explicit or inappropriate, leading to the removal of hundreds of titles. In Florida, school districts have faced increasing pressure to restrict access to books dealing with race and LGBTQ+ issues. These initiatives often rely on broad definitions of "obscene" or "harmful" content, leaving educators and librarians vulnerable to legal challenges.

The American Library Association (ALA) has been tracking the rise in book challenges, reporting a record number of attempts to ban or restrict books in 2023. The majority of these challenges targeted books written by or about people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community. The ALA argues that these challenges are not driven by genuine concerns about protecting children, but rather by a desire to suppress diverse voices and limit intellectual freedom.

The debate over HB 913 in Georgia underscores a broader tension between parental rights and the principles of free inquiry. While parents undeniably have a role in guiding their children's education, many argue that overly restrictive policies can stifle intellectual curiosity and undermine the crucial role that libraries and schools play in fostering informed and engaged citizens. The bill is currently under review by the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, and its fate remains uncertain. However, the discussions surrounding it highlight a growing national trend towards increased parental control over educational materials, raising critical questions about the future of intellectual freedom in America.