Judge “Permanently” Strikes Down School Book Ratings Law

Image: thumbnail of federal Judge Albright's decision striking down book ratings portion of Reeder Act — Click the image above to access the judge’s ruling.

A federal judge on Tuesday (Oct. 21, 2025) issued a permanent injunction prohibiting Education Commissioner Mike Morath from enforcing the portion of Texas law requiring the assignment of ratings of books sold by vendors to schools.

U.S. District Judge Alan D. Albright, a Trump appointee, ruled that the portion of 2023’s HB900 READER Act (Restricting Explicit and Adult‑Designated Educational Resources Act) setting forth a book ratings system for books sold to schools is unconstitutional.

Violates First Amendment

Judge Albright ruled that although “children should certainly be protected from obscene content in the school setting,” the READER Act fails to accomplish that goal and violates the First Amendment.

Previously, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals refused to lift (article) a preliminary injunction Judge Albright had previously issued (article) that has thus far kept the state from enforcing the book ratings portion of the law.

The lawsuit was brought by a coalition of book vendors, publishers and others against (in their official capacities) Morath as education commissioner, and the chairs of the State Board of Education and Texas State Library and Archives Commission (among others).

Appeals Likely

The ruling is subject to (probable) appeals led by the Texas attorney general.