Bill > HB4251

This bill establishes the "District Library Freedom to Read Act," which creates comprehensive standards and processes for how district libraries select and manage their collections. The bill defines key terms like "material" (which includes books, magazines, DVDs, and other items in a library's collection) and establishes that the library director has final responsibility for selecting and withdrawing materials. Within 90 days of the act's effective date, district libraries must adopt policies that outline their standards for material selection and withdrawal, and create a formal process for handling requests to reconsider including specific materials in their collection. The bill importantly restricts the grounds for such reconsideration requests, prohibiting challenges based on an author's personal characteristics or the material's viewpoint, and mandates that materials can only be removed if they have been legally determined to be obscene or unprotected by the First Amendment. The attorney general and local residents are empowered to take civil action to ensure libraries comply with these guidelines, which can include seeking injunctions or mandamus orders to prevent improper material removal. Notably, the bill is tied to another piece of legislation and will only take effect if that companion bill is also enacted.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4251