Bill > S2696

This bill introduces comprehensive provisions regarding library materials and free expression in Massachusetts schools and public libraries. It establishes new requirements for selecting and maintaining library materials, emphasizing that selections should be based on professional standards and educational value, not personal or political views. The bill mandates that each school district and local education agency create a written library materials policy aligned with American Library Association standards, which must be publicly posted and include procedures for handling challenges to material selections. The legislation protects school employees and librarians from adverse employment actions when they select materials in good faith, and requires annual reporting on challenges to library materials. Additionally, the bill makes several technical language changes to existing laws, such as replacing gendered terms like "chairman" with gender-neutral alternatives like "chair" and updating references to "selectmen" to "select board". The bill also requires the board of library commissioners to submit an annual report to legislative committees detailing challenges to educational materials, including information about the library, challenged materials, and the outcome of each challenge. These provisions aim to protect intellectual freedom while establishing clear, professional guidelines for material selection in educational settings.

Senate Committee on Ways and Means (Senate)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2696