Bill > A4120

Introduced Session

This bill prohibits the banning of certain books in public libraries and school libraries, and authorizes the withholding of State aid for noncompliance. This bill prohibits a governing body of any free public library, joint free public library, free county library, and free regional library from banning or restricting access to books or other resources because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval. Additionally, this bill requires the governing body of these public libraries to either adopt: 1) the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, which provides that books and materials "should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation," or "because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval"; or 2) a policy prohibiting the banning or restricting access to a book or resource because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval. Under the "state library aid law," the Department of the Treasury can withhold State Library aid from any municipality, county, or area library if the public library fails to comply with certain laws and regulations. This bill amends current law to permit the withholding of State Library aid if a public library fails to follow the provisions of this bill. Similarly, this bill prohibits a board of education of a school district from banning or restricting access to books or other resources in a school library. Under the bill, a board of education is similarly required to adopt the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights or a policy prohibiting the banning or restricting access to books or resources. The bill permits the Commissioner of Education to withhold State aid to any board of education that does not follow the provisions of this bill. The bill's provisions should not be construed to require a free public library or board of education to purchase, or otherwise acquire, a book or resource for inclusion in its collection.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D)*,  Shanique Speight (D)*,  Reginald Atkins (D),  Rosaura Bagolie (D),  Annette Quijano (D), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 04/04/2024)

Official Document