Hartford — Legislation that would require local and regional school boards to publicly announce reasons for removing materials from public school libraries was the focus of controversy Monday during a public hearing on the General Assembly's Education Committee.

The committee brought the national debate on school library censorship, particularly from adults opposed to LGBTQ-related books, to the State Capitol complex.

Louis Haberlandt, an East Hartford eighth grader, argued that it's important to protect the independence of school librarians. He spoke in favor of the proposal, aimed at distancing partisan politics from affecting school libraries and media centers, including provisions that would prohibit local and regional boards of education from removing or restricting school library materials based on the race, gender identity, sexual orientation or the political or religious view of authors or subject.

"One of my favorite books is 'The Hate U Give,'" Haberlandt said in a packed meeting room in the Legislative Office Building, referring to one of the most widely banned books in the nation that includes scenes of racism and violence. "Controversial books like these help me and many of my peers learn and develop new thoughts."

State Rep. Jeff Currey, D-East Hartford, co-chairman of the committee, drew a chuckle from the crowd when he asked Haberlandt if he had seen adults examining bookshelves for "inappropriate" materials in his school library.

"I don't see that but I'm sure that maybe at some point that has happened," Haberlandt replied. But he's "totally against" the removal of any books from a library shelf. "I think if it was really a book with information that I think the students in my school have the right to view, I would be opposed to it (being banned), passionately."

Under questioning from Republicans on the 45-member committee, a small fraction of whom was in attendance for the meeting, Haberlandt agreed that there might be some materials that are inappropriate for certain age groups, but he has heard no complaints from classmates.

"What in your eyes would be inappropriate content of a book that shouldn't belong in the library?" asked Sen. Lisa Seminara, R-Avon.

"I think that if it was something blatantly inappropriate to be in a middle school, then I suppose I would be against that, but it's really a difficult question to find a line between what is blatantly inappropriate and what is information that the kids in my school should be allowed to hear," the student answered.

"To determine what is age appropriate content is difficult, is that correct?" Seminara asked Haberlandt. "I suppose, yeah," said Haberlandt, who was accompanied to the Capitol complex with his mother, Sarah Morgan, director of the East Hartford Public Library.

Susan Zabohonski of Southington spoke in opposition to the legislation, blasting a central part of the bill that would prevent school boards from removing books on issues including sexual health. She charged that overall, it's a "direct attack on local control and the ability of our elected board of eds to do their job effectively without state interference."

Dozens of pieces of written testimony were submitted on the legislative proposal, several of which referred to "unelected school librarians." Zabohonski said that the issue is not censorship, but "limiting government" and retaining local control of schools. "We're the voice against attacks on our culture."

Currey interrupted with a point of clarification. "There is, in fact, still control with respect to elected leaders of the public within this legislation," he said. "If a board was going to decide to remove something, this clearly states that they must provide that reason. There still is that local control of our elected leaders."

In recent years, many librarians throughout the state have complained about efforts to ban books.

Leslie Wolfgang, director of public policy for the conservative Family Institute of Connecticut, said the bill would effectively prevent parents and other family members from participating in the public debate on books.

"On its face, the bill removes a parental right as a citizen 'to apply to those invested with the powers of government, for redress of grievances' guaranteed by the Connecticut Constitution," Wolfgang wrote. "Instead this bill would tip the balance of power over the debate about public school books to unelected and unaccountable school media specialists." She charged that school media specialists "are not neutral" in the issue.

"This bill removes all school board discretion with regard to any materials related to 'sexual health,' including the physical dimensions of sex, even for grammar school libraries," Wolfgang wrote.