In a major legal development this week, U.S. District Judge Alan Albright in Waco has blocked the enforcement of the Texas law known as the READER Act.
This law, which took effect on September 1st, required school library book vendors to rate books for 'sexually relevant' or 'sexually explicit' content and banned the sale of 'sexually explicit' books.
Judge Albright found the law placed an undue burden on booksellers, lacked an appeals process, and failed to define 'community standards.'
A lawsuit by Texas book vendors challenged the law, citing compelled speech and high compliance costs. Texas schools, such as Katy ISD and Fort Worth ISD, have already felt the impact, with libraries closing and book purchases halted.
As a result of the judge's ruling, state agencies are temporarily barred from enforcing the READER Act.
For 103.3 Waco Public Radio, I’m Autumn Jones