BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — New legislation will change the way books are challenged in Florida public schools.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 1285 on Tuesday, which limits how many times someone who doesn’t have kids enrolled in a school district can challenge a piece of literature. The limit is one challenge per month.

Paul Roub, who spends time reading the laundry list of books pending approval within the Brevard County School District, would rather see that number be zero.

“I fundamentally do not understand how somebody can come in from anywhere on earth and say ‘hey parents from this town, your kids don’t get to have this book in their library anymore.’ That’s insane,” said Paul Roub. “There’s people traveling around talking about parental rights and yet travel to places they are not parents — taking books away and taking choices away from actual parents.”

Michelle Beavers isn’t happy with the new law. She’s a Brevard County parent and a member of Moms for Liberty. She believes the public should have a say if there’s concern with a certain book.

“It’s important we keep the challenges open to people who have kids in school,” said Beavers. “Because nobody wants to stand up and talk about it because the other side attacks you so severely.”

She agrees that folks without kids shouldn’t be challenging hundreds of books within their community, but one a month is too little in the eyes of Beavers. Especially if that person shares the same concerns as many parents.

“[The governor] is trying to limit the number of people that aren’t submitting for the right reasons. I understand what he’s trying to do. But I think a better avenue would have been to have people who are submitting books prove that the book should be taken out,” said Beavers.

The new law takes effect on July 1, 2024.