TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Kate Prince on Sep 27, 2022

The state’s textbook commission could need additional staff and an attorney to help deal with the aftermath of a new law that requires schools to catalog and publicize a list of all available library and classroom materials, the Tennessean reports. Tennessee Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission Chair Linda Cash appeared before a legislative subcommittee today, suggesting the commission hire an independent attorney to answer commission questions. They are currently seeking legal answers from the Attorney General’s Office. The commission has until Dec. 1 to issue statewide guidance on the library materials law, including what is age-appropriate, which is not settled in state law, in addition to establishing an appeals process for local decisions on contested materials. The General Assembly passed the bill this year in response to allegations that students were being exposed to “inappropriate” school materials.