Florida House Approves Changes to Controversial Book Ban Law

The new bill defines what materials are considered "harmful to minors" under the 2023 law.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Florida House has approved a measure that includes a definition of "materials harmful to minors" in the state's controversial 2023 law that led to books being removed from school libraries. The bill considers any representation of "nudity, sexual conduct, or sexual excitement" as harmful when it appeals to a "prurient, shameful, or morbid interest" and is "patently offensive to prevailing standards." The identical Senate version has yet to be heard in committee as the legislative session reaches its midpoint.

Why it matters

The 2023 Florida law that allowed for the banning of books in school libraries has faced legal challenges, with a federal judge ruling it was "overbroad and unconstitutional." This new bill aims to clarify what materials can be considered "harmful to minors" under the law, though critics argue the state is moving forward with legislation while the original law is still being challenged in court.

The details

The Florida House bill (HB 1119) was approved in an 84-28 mostly party-line vote, with one Democratic representative voting in favor. The bill revises the grounds on which any material used in a classroom or school library may be challenged and requires the State Board of Education to monitor district compliance. The identical Senate version (SB 1692) has yet to appear before a committee.

  • The Florida House approved the measure on February 13, 2026.
  • The legislative session reached its midpoint on February 13, 2026.

The players

Kimberly Daniels

A Democratic representative from Jacksonville who was the only member of her party to vote for the measure.

Doug Bankson

The Republican representative from Apopka who sponsored the bill, stating that it does not "address banning classical literature or sexual orientation, gender identity, political views, religious issues, vulgarity, bad language, violence, or gore."

Dianne Hart-Lowman

A Democratic representative from Tampa who questioned why the state is moving forward with new legislation while the original 2023 law is still being challenged in court.

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What they’re saying

“While that decision is on appeal, districts … are now caught in an impossible position. Why are we moving forward with a bill when we already have something in court?”

— Dianne Hart-Lowman, Democratic Representative (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The identical Senate version of the bill (SB 1692) has yet to be heard in committee, as the legislative session reaches its midpoint. The state is also currently challenging a federal judge's ruling that the original 2023 law was "overbroad and unconstitutional."

The takeaway

This new legislation aims to clarify what materials can be considered "harmful to minors" under Florida's controversial 2023 book ban law, though critics argue the state is moving forward with changes while the original law is still being challenged in court, leaving school districts in an "impossible position."