Bill > HB236

This bill requires the establishment of model policies for local, regional, and school libraries concerning the selection, purchase, curation, display, and removal of library materials, which are defined as any physical or electronic items owned or in the custody of a library. These policies must prohibit "censorship," defined as suppressing or removing materials based on disagreement with their origin, views, or the identity of their creators, but exclude materials deemed developmentally inappropriate or lacking serious value. The bill mandates that these model policies be developed by the Librarian of Virginia for local/regional libraries and the Superintendent of Public Instruction for school libraries, and then adopted by local government bodies and school boards, respectively. Importantly, the policies must include a process for individuals with a "vested interest" (residents for local/regional libraries, and teachers, parents, or students for school libraries) to request the reclassification, relocation, or removal of library materials, with specific review committees and appeal processes outlined. The bill also allows librarians disciplined for refusing to censor materials, individuals with a vested interest, and authors whose materials have been censored to seek legal relief, and establishes immunity for staff acting in good faith, while prohibiting funding reductions due to compliance with these policies.

Education

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB236