Promotes free expression and access of information by prohibiting the censorship of library materials.
If enacted, HB 5726 will amend existing laws relating to libraries, specifically those that facilitate censorship by various government bodies. The bill establishes a strong policy against the censorship of library materials, mandating that libraries offer collections representing a wide range of perspectives. It also states that the responsibility lies with government at all levels to protect these freedoms, positioning librarians as professionally trained curators capable of maintaining diverse and inclusive collections.
House Bill 5726, also known as 'The Freedom to Read Act', aims to safeguard the rights of individuals to access library materials without facing censorship from government entities. This bill emphasizes the Constitutionally protected right to free speech and the formation of opinions through diverse literature. The state declares that censorship of library materials undermines the freedom to read and, as such, government bodies must not engage in practices that restrict access to varying viewpoints and ideas.
Notably, the bill outlines specific procedures for addressing challenges against library materials, protecting the rights of students and parents to challenge censorship. However, it imposes penalties for any government-body-directed censorship, including legal action and financial liabilities for damages caused by censorship. Critics of potential censorship measures argue that strict guidelines need to be in place to ensure that library materials remain accessible to all without undue government restriction, emphasizing the bill's significance in educational contexts and the protection it provides to libraries against arbitrary censorship efforts.