Republican lawmakers say they believe in maximizing personal freedom and minimizing government interference. Yet they just passed the first book ban in New Hampshire’s modern history. If Gov. Ayotte signs HB324, teachers will be forced to consider, every time they put a book on their shelves, whether someone, somewhere might object for some reason.
The bill uses vague, subjective definitions of what’s “harmful to minors” and threatens teachers with loss of their professional license (and under some circumstances, criminal charges) if they cross the murky line. Teachers might well conclude that it’s better to play it safe and avoid offering the very books that are most likely to expand students’ horizons, help them better understand themselves and/or give them insights about people whose lives are different from their own.
To be clear, parents already have the right to prevent their children from having access at school to materials to which they object. This bill would take away access even for children whose parents don’t object.
New Hampshire voters vigorously oppose book bans. When the Senate Education Committee considered this bill, 1,367 Granite Staters weighed in to oppose it, while only 39 were in favor. Hopefully Gov. Ayotte is more concerned with her constituents’ views than was the Republican-led legislature when it sent HB 324 to her desk. If you agree there’s no room for book bans in the Live Free or Die state, please call Gov. Ayotte’s office (603-271-2121) and leave a message urging her to veto HB 324.
Mary Wilke
Concord