RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Free-speech groups are calling on Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe to veto a bill that would force schools to notify parents if their child is assigned to read books with sexually explicit content.
The National Coalition Against Censorship and other groups said in a letter to McAuliffe that they fear the bill could apply to “a great deal of classic and contemporary literature,” including Anne Frank’s “The Diary of a Young Girl” and most of William Shakespeare’s work.
McAuliffe hasn’t indicated whether he supports the legislation, which would also require schools to provide an alternative to the sexually explicit book if a parent objects. He must act on it by April 11.
A library expert says Virginia would be the first state in the country to pass such a law.
Editors note: This story has been changed to reflect the correct name of Anne Frank’s “The Diary of a Young Girl.”
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