Under a bill

passed this year, any resident — regardless of whether they have a child in school — can challenge textbook material as pornographic, biased or inaccurate and get a hearing. Already, the law is having an effect.

FORT LAUDERDALE — A parent is citing profanity and violence in trying to get the local school to ban Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451,” itself a cautionary tale on the banning of books.

Another wants to remove Walter Dean Myers’ “Bad Boy” for using the word “penis” and a homophobic slur.

Elsewhere in Florida, some say global warming and evolution are a hoax and should not be taught in textbooks unopposed. Others say their school’s textbooks shortchange Islam’s role in the world, while their opponents argue it’s the danger posed by Muslim terrorists that’s underexposed.

Under a bill passed by the Legislature this year, any district resident — regardless of whether they have a child in school — can challenge material as pornographic, biased, inaccurate or a violation of state law and get a hearing before an outside mediator.

The mediator advises the local school board, whose decision is final. Previously, challenges could only be made by parents to the school or district. There was also no mediator and fewer mandates. Districts must now also post online a list of all new books and material by grade level to make monitoring easier.

To gauge the challenges made, the Associated Press recently sent public records requests to Florida’s 67 school districts, seeking any complaints filed this year. Seven reported receiving at least one, including these complaints:

In Brevard County, a Citizens’ Alliance couple filed challenges against elementary school social studies textbooks, alleging each has dozens of inaccuracies. They say authors frequently ignore American exceptionalism and the books’ assertion that global warming is caused by human activity is “blatant indoctrination.” The district says no changes were made.

In Seminole County, two parents complained that a middle school ancient history textbook had no chapter on Islamic civilization while mentioning Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism. The district replied that Islam was emerging during the time frame taught and is covered in 10th grade.

In Santa Rosa County, a parent wants Ray Bradbury’s 1953 novel “Fahrenheit 451” banned from schools because it contains profanity and violence. The book describes a future where firemen burn seized books after all are banned by the U.S. government.

In Nassau County, a resident challenged the teaching of evolution, arguing life was created and perhaps planted by space aliens. A hearing was held, and the mediator is preparing a report.

In Duval County, the parent of a sixth grade girl complained that an assigned novel, “Bad Boy” by Walter Dean Myers, is too explicit for that age group because it uses “penis” and a homophobic slur. The district agreed to warn parents before it is assigned.

The Florida Citizens’ Alliance, a conservative group, pushed for the change, arguing many districts ignored challenges or heard them with stacked committees and didn’t consider residents who don’t have children in the schools. Members say boards rejected complaints over sexually explicit novels issued to middle school students. They also don’t believe evolution and global warming should be taught without students hearing counterarguments.

Brandon Haught, spokesman for Florida Citizens for Science, which opposed the bill, said his group is ready to fight challenges against the teaching of evolution and climate change, which most biologists and climatologists agree are proven facts.