OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Lawmakers in Olympia are considering a bill that would make it illegal for school districts to ban certain books.

The state Senate passed HB 2331 Thursday in a 29-20 vote with Democrats voting for the bill and Republicans voting against it. The bill would prevent school boards from banning any book or material based on its relation to any group that is considered “protected” under state law.

That means the boards cannot discriminate against books because of their association with race, religion, sexual orientation or other protected classes. School districts would still be able to stop individual students from accessing certain books if their parent or guardian makes a complaint.

Democratic Sen. Emily Randall of Kitsap Peninsula spoke in favor of the bill.

“It is so important that we stand up and stand alongside young people who may not feel welcomed in their classrooms, or in their school districts or in their communities,” Sen. Randall said. “But [they do] find a welcoming space in a book that reflects them.”

But Republican Sen. Ann Rivers of La Center argued that parents and school boards should have a say in what books students have access to.

“We should put this bill down and make another run at something that doesn’t alienate parents, alienate school boards and damage democracy at the local level,” Sen. Rivers said.

The bill now heads to Gov. Jay Inslee for review.