Kentucky school and library book laws
Kentucky SB 5 lets parents complain that school materials are harmful to minors and opt their child out even if the board keeps the title.
Kentucky SB 5 (2023) created KRS 158.192. It defines “harmful to minors” (obscene nudity, visual or written sexual acts, prurient interest, patent offensiveness). A parent complains to the principal (seven business days); the board hears appeals. Even if the board keeps the material, a parent may opt their own child out. The Kentucky Department of Education published a model policy. SB 150 (2023) limits certain LGBTQ-related instruction; state guidance and PEN America note it does not apply to library collections, though some districts misapplied it. BookLooky does not market LRS as an SB 150 compliance tool.
Not legal advice. Confirm the enrolled text and any injunction before changing policy. LRS is informational and must not be the sole basis for removing books.
Bills and rules
| Measure | Year | Status | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|
| SB 5 KRS 158.192 harmful-to-minors complaints Defines harmful to minors; parent complaint to principal; board appeal; parent may still opt their child out if the board retains the material. | 2023 | In force | School libraries |
| SB 150 LGBTQ-related instruction limits. Does not apply to library collections as a matter of the statute’s design; some districts misapplied it. | 2023 | In force | Instructional materials |
How BookLooky LRS addresses the concern
- Parent-level restrictions (not collection-wide removal) match LRS’s intended use: inform a family’s choice.
- Sexual-content and language scores help principals respond within seven business days.
- Story theme scores, including LGBTQ+ presence, are not warnings and should not be used to implement SB 150 against library shelves.
Story theme scores (including LGBTQ+ representation) measure presence in the plot. They are not warnings and are not a lawful stand-in for “harmful to minors.”