Bill > SB799

This bill seeks to protect the freedom to read in Hawaii's public and school libraries by establishing clear guidelines for book selection and preventing book banning based on discriminatory or ideological grounds. The legislation responds to a national trend of increasing book challenges, with the American Library Association reporting over 4,200 works targeted in 2023. The bill requires both the Department of Education and State Librarian to select library materials using professional judgment, considering community interests, current events, publishing trends, and societal developments, while creating a collection that reflects the state's diversity. Critically, the bill prohibits excluding or removing books based on an author's race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political views, and explicitly protects librarians' ability to include materials without implying endorsement of their content. The bill emphasizes that the freedom to read, protected by the First Amendment, allows individuals to explore different perspectives without requiring agreement with all topics or themes. By preventing censorship, the legislation aims to promote intellectual freedom, provide equitable access to learning resources, and support democratic principles of open inquiry and diverse viewpoints.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=799&year=2025