Bill > H902

This bill establishes the Free to Learn - Library Bill of Rights Act, which creates comprehensive protections for library users in North Carolina. The legislation defines and safeguards fundamental rights including access to information, intellectual freedom, privacy, and non-discrimination in library services. Key provisions include protecting users' rights to access library materials without censorship, ensuring library records remain confidential, preventing discrimination in library services, and establishing robust privacy protections for both physical and digital library resources. The bill creates a new chapter in state law that requires libraries to develop policies protecting these rights, mandates training for library staff, and establishes an enforcement mechanism through the State Library and the Attorney General's office. To support implementation, the bill appropriates $2 million to the State Library and $1 million to the Department of Justice to fund grant programs, policy development, legal resources, and a public education campaign. The legislation also creates a Library Rights Division within the Department of Justice to investigate potential violations, provide legal guidance, and track challenges to library materials. Notably, the bill protects library employees from retaliation if they report violations and allows individuals to file complaints or civil actions if their library rights are infringed upon, with potential civil penalties for willful violations.

Government Affairs

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H902