Bill > SB799

This bill aims to protect the freedom to read in Hawaii's public and school libraries by establishing clear guidelines for book selection and preventing book banning. The legislation requires both the Department of Education and the State Librarian to select materials for library collections based on professional judgment, considering community interests, national and international issues, publishing trends, and societal developments, while ensuring a diverse and relevant collection. The bill explicitly prohibits excluding or removing books based on an author's race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political views, and emphasizes that selecting a book does not imply endorsement of its content. Drawing context from recent national trends of book challenges (over 4,200 works targeted in 2023), the bill aligns with efforts in other states to protect intellectual freedom and democratic access to information. The legislation underscores that the freedom to read allows individuals to explore different perspectives without requiring agreement with all topics or themes, and it is fundamentally protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. By amending existing statutes, the bill seeks to codify protections against censorship in school and public libraries, ensuring that library collections remain open, diverse, and reflective of various viewpoints.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=799&year=2026