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SB 25-063

Library Resource Decision Standards for Public Schools

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Judy Amabile and 42 co-sponsors

Creates statewide minimum standards for public school library resources policies (acquisition, display, reconsideration) with parent-led appeals and staff protections.

Governor Signed
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Bill Summary · SB 25-063

SB 25-063 — Library Resource Decision Standards for Public Schools (Governor Signed)

Status: Governor signed (effective May 1, 2025)
Introduced: January 21, 2025

Purpose / Intent

Establish statewide minimum standards that local school boards and the State Charter School Institute (CSI) must include in written policies governing public school library collections, displays, use, and procedures for reconsidering (challenging) library resources. The law also creates statutory protections for school library staff and volunteers who follow those policies.

Key provisions

  • Definitions: Broad definition of “library resource” (print and non‑print items such as books, magazines, e‑books, streaming resources, films, recordings, software, exhibits). Excludes materials in individual classroom libraries. Defines “local education provider” to include school districts, BOCES that operate schools, and charter schools (district‑ or institute‑authorized).
  • Written policies required: Every local education provider must adopt written policies for acquisition, retention, display, use, and reconsideration of library resources. Deadline: policies must be established by September 1, 2025 (unless an existing policy already complies).
  • Minimum standards the policies must meet:
    • Compliance with the U.S. First Amendment as interpreted in Board of Education v. Pico (457 U.S. 853 (1982)) and Colorado constitutional speech protections.
    • Protections against harassment and discrimination (particularly classes listed in C.R.S. §22-1-143(1)(d)(I)) with respect to author, content, and intended audience.
    • Protection against obscene material as defined in C.R.S. §18-7-101(2) and interpreted by Miller v. California (413 U.S. 15 (1973)).
  • Reconsideration (challenge) process:
    • A library resource may be removed from a permanent collection only after review under a compliant reconsideration policy (routine collection maintenance/deaccession is exempt).
    • Reconsideration policies must be publicly available in a manner determined locally.
    • Only a parent (biological, adoptive, legal guardian, or other person with legal custody) of a student enrolled in the school may request reconsideration.
    • The same resource may not be reconsidered more than once every two years (local policy may set a longer interval).
    • Reconsideration requests and final determinations are public records under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA); final determinations must be made publicly available and show how they comport with the statutory standards.
  • Staff protections:
    • Public school library staff, contractors, and volunteers may not be terminated, demoted, disciplined, or retaliated against for refusing to remove a resource before policy review or for making displays, acquisitions, or programming decisions they reasonably believe comply with the law’s standards.
  • Technical assistance / enforcement:
    • The State Librarian (Department of Education) may provide technical assistance to local education providers; workload is expected to be minimal and can be done within existing resources.
    • The Judicial Department may see a minimal increase in civil litigation (e.g., discrimination claims); any workload/revenue effects are expected to be minimal.

Who is affected

  • Local education providers: school districts, BOCES-operated schools, district and CSI-authorized charter schools — required to adopt or ensure compliant policies.
  • Public school library staff, contractors, and volunteers — receive protections from retaliation for actions taken in accordance with policy/standards.
  • Parents of enrolled students — sole class authorized to file reconsideration requests.
  • Students and school communities — policies govern access to and retention of library materials.
  • State Department of Education / State Librarian and Judicial Department — minor administrative and potential litigation impacts.

Fiscal and timeline notes

  • Fiscal impact: Final fiscal note (Legislative Council Staff) — no appropriation required; minimal state workload; no state revenue/expenditure change projected.
  • Effective date: May 1, 2025. Policies must be in place by September 1, 2025 (unless an existing policy already complies).
  • Legislative actions: Introduced Jan 21, 2025; passed both chambers; sent to and signed by the Governor (May 1, 2025).

Practical effects

Local boards must review or adopt library policies that meet constitutional and statutory standards, make reconsideration processes transparent and limited to parents, and ensure staff may not be punished for adhering to those policies. The law emphasizes public access to reconsideration records and aims to limit arbitrary or repeated challenges to specific materials.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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