NY State Assembly Bill 2025-A9537B

Current Bill Status Via S8630 - Passed Assembly

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

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Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jun 04, 2026	returned to senate passed assembly ordered to third reading rules cal.498 substituted for a9537b
Jun 04, 2026	substituted by s8630c ordered to third reading rules cal.498 rules report cal.498 reported reported referred to rules
Jun 01, 2026	reference changed to ways and means
May 07, 2026	print number 9537b
May 07, 2026	amend and recommit to education
Mar 12, 2026	print number 9537a
Mar 12, 2026	amend and recommit to education
Jan 14, 2026	referred to education

Votes

- Jun 2, 2026 - Floor Vote
  S8630
  
  Aye
  
  51
  
  Nay
  
  10
  
  Absent
  
  1
  
  Excused
  
  1
  
  Abstained
  
  0
  - - Floor Vote: Jun 2, 2026
      
      aye (51)
      
      Addabbo Jr.
      
      Ashby
      
      Bailey
      
      Baskin
      
      Bottcher
      
      Brisport
      
      Brouk
      
      Bynoe
      
      Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick
      
      Cleare
      
      Comrie
      
      Fahy
      
      Fernandez
      
      Gianaris
      
      Gonzalez
      
      Gounardes
      
      Harckham
      
      Helming
      
      Hinchey
      
      Jackson
      
      Kavanagh
      
      Krueger
      
      Liu
      
      Martinez
      
      Martins
      
      Mattera
      
      May
      
      Mayer
      
      Murray
      
      Myrie
      
      Oberacker
      
      Palumbo
      
      Persaud
      
      Ramos
      
      Rhoads
      
      Rivera
      
      Rolison
      
      Ryan
      
      Salazar
      
      Sanders Jr.
      
      Scarcella-Spanton
      
      Sepúlveda
      
      Serrano
      
      Skoufis
      
      Stavisky
      
      Stewart-Cousins
      
      Sutton
      
      Tedisco
      
      Webb
      
      Weber
      
      Zellner
      
      nay (10)
      
      Borrello
      
      Chan
      
      Gallivan
      
      Griffo
      
      Lanza
      
      O'Mara
      
      Ortt
      
      Stec
      
      Walczyk
      
      Weik
      
      absent (1)
      
      Parker
      
      excused (1)
      
      Cooney
      
      The following Member(s) participated via videoconferencing: Krueger Brouk
  May 19, 2026 - Education Committee Vote
  S8630
  
  Aye
  
  12
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  3
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  
  0
  - - Education Committee Vote: May 19, 2026
      
      aye (12)
      
      Addabbo Jr.
      
      Bynoe
      
      Cleare
      
      Jackson
      
      Liu
      
      Martinez
      
      Mayer
      
      Salazar
      
      Stavisky
      
      Stec
      
      Sutton
      
      Weik
      
      aye wr (3)
      
      Chan
      
      Tedisco
      
      Weber

Bill Amendments

Original

B (Active)

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2025-A9537 - Details

See Senate Version of this Bill:: S8630
Law Section:: Education Law
Laws Affected:: Add §414-a, Ed L

2025-A9537 - Summary

Requires each board of education to adopt a written policy for reconsideration of school library materials and make such policy available on its website; requires such policies to include provisions for the creation of a reconsideration committee to review complaints regarding school library materials; requires the commissioner of education to develop one or more model policies for school districts.

2025-A9537 - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   9537
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             January 14, 2026
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by M. of A. SIMONE -- read once and referred to the Committee
   on Education
 
 AN  ACT to amend the education law, in relation to enacting the "freedom
   to read act"
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.   Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
 the "freedom to read act".
   § 2. The education law is amended by adding a  new  section  414-a  to
 read as follows:
   §  414-A.  SCHOOL  LIBRARY  MATERIALS.  1. (A) EACH BOARD OF EDUCATION
 SHALL ADOPT A WRITTEN POLICY FOR THE RECONSIDERATION OF  SCHOOL  LIBRARY
 MATERIALS.  SUCH  POLICY  SHALL  EXPLAIN:  (I)  HOW COMPLAINTS REGARDING
 LIBRARY MATERIALS MAY BE SUBMITTED; (II) WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR  REVIEW-
 ING COMPLAINTS; AND (III) HOW A FINAL DECISION IS MADE.
   (B)  A  POLICY  ADOPTED  PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION
 SHALL INCLUDE A GENERAL TIMELINE FOR THE REVIEW  PROCEDURE  AND  PROVIDE
 FOR  THE  CREATION  OF  A RECONSIDERATION COMMITTEE TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS
 REGARDING SCHOOL LIBRARY MATERIALS. SUCH RECONSIDERATION COMMITTEE SHALL
 BE COMPOSED OF AT LEAST ONE OF EACH OF THE  FOLLOWING,  AND  EACH  WHICH
 SHALL  BE  AFFILIATED  WITH  THE  RELEVANT SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND MAY BE A
 STANDING COMMITTEE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DISTRICT:  (I)  A  CERTIFIED
 LIBRARIAN  OR  LIBRARY  MEDIA SPECIALIST; (II) A TEACHER; (III) A SCHOOL
 ADMINISTRATOR; (IV) A PARENT; AND (V) WHERE POSSIBLE, A STUDENT.
   (C) A POLICY ADOPTED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH  (A)  OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION
 SHALL FURTHER PROVIDE FOR A FINAL APPEAL TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. SUCH
 POLICY  SHALL  ALSO  PROVIDE  NOTICE ON THE RIGHT TO FILE APPEALS TO THE
 COMMISSIONER PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE HUNDRED TEN OF THIS CHAPTER.  ALL
 DECISIONS  SHALL FOLLOW THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S WRITTEN POLICIES AND SHALL
 NOT BE BASED SOLELY ON DISAGREEMENT WITH THE IDEAS, VIEWPOINTS, OR IDEN-
 TITIES REPRESENTED IN THE MATERIAL. SUCH POLICY SHALL BE MADE  AVAILABLE
 ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S WEBSITE.
   2.  NO  LIBRARY MATERIAL SHALL BE REMOVED OR RESTRICTED SOLELY BECAUSE
 OF DISAGREEMENT WITH THE THEMES, IDEAS, OR VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN IT OR
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD14305-02-5
 A. 9537                             2
 
 BECAUSE OF THE IDENTITIES OF THE AUTHOR, SUBJECT, OR CHARACTERS. REMOVAL
 OR RESTRICTION SHALL COMPLY WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S ADOPTED  POLICIES
 AND  THE  MATERIAL  SHALL  NOT  BE  REMOVED FROM ITS LOCATION WITHIN THE
 LIBRARY  AND  SHALL  REMAIN  AVAILABLE  TO RESERVE, CHECK OUT, OR ACCESS
 WHILE IT IS UNDER REVIEW.
   3. NO LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST OR OTHER  SCHOOL  EMPLOYEE  SHALL  FACE
 DISCIPLINARY  ACTION FOR SELECTING, RETAINING, OR RECOMMENDING MATERIALS
 IN REASONABLE RELIANCE ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S ADOPTED  POLICIES.  THIS
 SHALL  NOT  LIMIT  THE  SUPERINTENDENT'S OR BOARD OF EDUCATION'S GENERAL
 SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY OVER EMPLOYEES, AS LONG AS SUCH SUPERVISION IS NOT
 BASED ON DISAGREEMENT WITH THE VIEWPOINTS IN MATERIALS.
   4. THE COMMISSIONER, IN CONSULTATION  WITH  THE  STATE  LIBRARIAN  AND
 OTHER  STAKEHOLDERS, SHALL PROMULGATE REGULATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION
 OF THIS SECTION AND SHALL DEVELOP ONE OR MORE MODEL POLICIES FOR USE  BY
 SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
   5.  SCHOOL  LIBRARY  SYSTEMS,  AS  ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION TWO
 HUNDRED EIGHTY-TWO OF THIS CHAPTER, SHALL  DEVELOP  AND  MAKE  AVAILABLE
 MODEL  POLICIES  FOR  USE  BY  SCHOOL DISTRICTS. SUCH MODEL POLICIES MAY
 INCLUDE SAMPLE COLLECTION-DEVELOPMENT POLICIES  AND  SAMPLE  RECONSIDER-
 ATION PROCEDURES. SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAY ADOPT OR ADAPT SUCH MODELS.
   §  3.  This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding
 the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the
 addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule  or  regulation  necessary
 for  the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized
 to be made and completed on or before such effective date.

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2025-A9537A - Details

See Senate Version of this Bill:: S8630
Law Section:: Education Law
Laws Affected:: Add §414-a, Ed L

2025-A9537A - Summary

2025-A9537A - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  9537--A
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             January 14, 2026
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  M.  of  A.  SIMONE,  PAULIN,  SCHIAVONI, STECK, SHIMSKY,
   R. CARROLL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education  --
   committee  discharged,  bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and
   recommitted to said committee
 
 AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to enacting the  "freedom
   to read act"

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may  be  cited  as
 the "freedom to read act".
   §  2.  The  education  law is amended by adding a new section 414-a to
 read as follows:
   § 414-A. SCHOOL LIBRARY MATERIALS. 1.  (A)  EACH  BOARD  OF  EDUCATION
 SHALL  ADOPT  A WRITTEN POLICY FOR THE RECONSIDERATION OF SCHOOL LIBRARY
 MATERIALS. SUCH POLICY  SHALL  EXPLAIN:  (I)  HOW  COMPLAINTS  REGARDING
 LIBRARY  MATERIALS MAY BE SUBMITTED; (II) WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEW-
 ING COMPLAINTS; AND (III) HOW A FINAL DECISION IS MADE.
   (B) A POLICY ADOPTED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH  (A)  OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION
 SHALL  INCLUDE  A  GENERAL TIMELINE FOR THE REVIEW PROCEDURE AND PROVIDE
 FOR THE CREATION OF A RECONSIDERATION  COMMITTEE  TO  REVIEW  COMPLAINTS
 REGARDING SCHOOL LIBRARY MATERIALS. SUCH RECONSIDERATION COMMITTEE SHALL
 BE  COMPOSED  OF  AT  LEAST ONE OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING, AND EACH WHICH
 SHALL BE AFFILIATED WITH THE RELEVANT SCHOOL  DISTRICT,  AND  MAY  BE  A
 STANDING  COMMITTEE  AT  THE DISCRETION OF THE DISTRICT: (I) A CERTIFIED
 LIBRARIAN OR LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST; (II) A TEACHER;  (III)  A  SCHOOL
 ADMINISTRATOR;  AND  (IV)  A  PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF A CURRENT STUDENT IN
 SUCH DISTRICT.
   (C) A POLICY ADOPTED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH  (A)  OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION
 SHALL FURTHER PROVIDE FOR A FINAL APPEAL TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. SUCH
 POLICY  SHALL  ALSO  PROVIDE  NOTICE ON THE RIGHT TO FILE APPEALS TO THE
 COMMISSIONER PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE HUNDRED TEN OF THIS CHAPTER.  ALL
 DECISIONS  SHALL FOLLOW THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S WRITTEN POLICIES AND SHALL
 NOT BE BASED SOLELY ON DISAGREEMENT WITH THE IDEAS, VIEWPOINTS, OR IDEN-
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD14305-06-6

 A. 9537--A                          2
 
 TITIES REPRESENTED IN THE MATERIAL. SUCH POLICY SHALL BE MADE  AVAILABLE
 ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S WEBSITE.
   2.  NO  LIBRARY  MATERIAL SHALL BE REMOVED, RESTRICTED, SUPPRESSED, OR
 PROHIBITED IF ONE OF THE MOTIVATING FACTORS  IS  DISAGREEMENT  WITH  THE
 THEMES,  IDEAS,  OR VIEWPOINTS EXPRESSED IN IT OR BECAUSE OF THE IDENTI-
 TIES OF THE AUTHOR, SUBJECT, OR CHARACTERS. REMOVAL OR RESTRICTION SHALL
 COMPLY WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S  ADOPTED  POLICIES  AND  THE  MATERIAL
 SHALL  NOT  BE  REMOVED  FROM  ITS LOCATION WITHIN THE LIBRARY AND SHALL
 REMAIN AVAILABLE TO RESERVE, CHECK OUT, OR  ACCESS  WHILE  IT  IS  UNDER
 REVIEW.
   3.  LIBRARY MATERIAL MAY BE RESTRICTED TO AGE-APPROPRIATE GRADE LEVELS
 BASED ON DEVELOPMENTAL STANDARDS,  BUT  NO  LIBRARY  MATERIAL  SHALL  BE
 REMOVED,  RESTRICTED, SUPPRESSED, OR PROHIBITED UNLESS, AS TO THE OLDEST
 GRADE LEVEL SERVED BY THE LIBRARY, IT MEETS THE STANDARD  FOR  OBSCENITY
 ESTABLISHED  IN  MILLER  V. CALIFORNIA, 413 U.S. 15 (1973), SPECIFICALLY
 THAT IT:
   (A) PRIMARILY APPEALS TO THE PRURIENT INTEREST;
   (B) IS PATENTLY OFFENSIVE IN ITS DEPICTION OF SEXUAL CONDUCT; AND
   (C) TAKEN AS A WHOLE, CLEARLY LACKS SERIOUS LITERARY, ARTISTIC, EDUCA-
 TIONAL, POLITICAL, OR SCIENTIFIC VALUE.
   4. NO LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST OR OTHER  SCHOOL  EMPLOYEE  SHALL  FACE
 DISCIPLINARY  ACTION  FOR  SELECTING, RETAINING, OR RECOMMENDING LIBRARY
 MATERIALS IN REASONABLE RELIANCE ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S ADOPTED  POLI-
 CIES.  THIS SHALL NOT LIMIT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S OR BOARD OF EDUCATION'S
 GENERAL SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY OVER EMPLOYEES, AS  LONG  AS  SUCH  SUPER-
 VISION IS NOT BASED ON DISAGREEMENT WITH THE VIEWPOINTS IN MATERIALS.
   5.  THE  COMMISSIONER,  IN  CONSULTATION  WITH THE STATE LIBRARIAN AND
 OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, SHALL PROMULGATE ANY REGULATIONS NECESSARY  FOR  THE
 IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS SECTION AND SHALL DEVELOP ONE OR MORE MODEL POLI-
 CIES  FOR USE BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS. SUCH REGU-
 LATIONS AND MODEL POLICIES SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH AND MAY NOT DIMINISH
 OR NARROW THE PROTECTIONS ESTABLISHED BY THIS SECTION.
   6. (A) SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS, AS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION  TWO
 HUNDRED  EIGHTY-TWO  OF  THIS CHAPTER, SHALL SUPPORT SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN
 IMPLEMENTING THIS SECTION, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE IN ADOPTING POLICIES  OR
 TAILORING  MODEL  POLICIES  CONSISTENT  WITH  THIS SECTION AND PROVIDING
 CONTINUING EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO SCHOOL  LIBRARIANS,
 ADMINISTRATORS,  AND  DISTRICT  LEADERS  REGARDING STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS
 GOVERNING SCHOOL LIBRARY MATERIALS.
   (B) SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS MAY PROVIDE GUIDANCE, TRAINING, OR  PROFES-
 SIONAL  DEVELOPMENT  TO  ASSIST SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL IN
 IMPLEMENTING THIS SECTION, CONSISTENT WITH EXISTING PROGRAMS, RESOURCES,
 AND OFFERINGS.
   § 3. This act shall take effect on the first of July  next  succeeding
 the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the
 addition,  amendment  and/or  repeal of any rule or regulation necessary
 for the implementation of this act on its effective date are  authorized
 to be made and completed on or before such effective date.

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2025-A9537B (ACTIVE) - Details

See Senate Version of this Bill:: S8630
Law Section:: Education Law
Laws Affected:: Add §414-a, Ed L

2025-A9537B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-A9537B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  9537--B
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             January 14, 2026
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  M.  of  A.  SIMONE,  PAULIN,  SCHIAVONI, STECK, SHIMSKY,
   R. CARROLL, GONZALEZ-ROJAS, DINOWITZ, LEE, WRIGHT,  SIMON,  SEAWRIGHT,
   RAGA, KASSAY, BRONSON, BORES, LEVENBERG, LUNSFORD, REYES, OTIS -- read
   once   and  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Education  --  committee
   discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
   to said committee -- again reported from said  committee  with  amend-
   ments, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
 
 AN  ACT to amend the education law, in relation to enacting the "freedom
   to read act"
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  Short  title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
 the "freedom to read act".
   § 2. The education law is amended by adding a  new  section  414-a  to
 read as follows:
   §  414-A.  SCHOOL  LIBRARY  MATERIALS.  1. (A) EACH BOARD OF EDUCATION
 SHALL ADOPT A WRITTEN POLICY FOR THE RECONSIDERATION OF  SCHOOL  LIBRARY
 MATERIALS  AND SHALL MAKE SUCH POLICY AVAILABLE ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S
 WEBSITE.   SUCH POLICY SHALL INCLUDE AT A  MINIMUM,  BUT  SHALL  NOT  BE
 LIMITED TO:
   (I)  PROCEDURES  FOR HOW COMPLAINTS REGARDING LIBRARY MATERIALS MAY BE
 SUBMITTED;
   (II) A TIMELINE FOR THE REVIEW OF A CHALLENGED LIBRARY MATERIAL;
   (III) PROVISIONS FOR THE CREATION OF A  RECONSIDERATION  COMMITTEE  TO
 REVIEW COMPLAINTS REGARDING SCHOOL LIBRARY MATERIALS;
   (IV)  PROCEDURES OUTLINING THE REVIEW PROCESS FOR A CHALLENGED LIBRARY
 MATERIAL, CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION;
   (V) PROCEDURES FOR REMOVING OR RESTRICTING LIBRARY MATERIALS FOLLOWING
 A FINAL DECISION BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION THAT SUCH  LIBRARY  MATERIALS
 SHOULD  BE  REMOVED OR RESTRICTED TO CERTAIN GRADE LEVELS, INCLUDING BUT
 NOT LIMITED TO A TIMELINE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE  REMOVAL  OR  RESTRICTION
 RECOMMENDATION OF A RECONSIDERATION COMMITTEE; AND
   (VI)  PROCEDURES  FOR  PROVIDING  NOTICE  TO AN AGGRIEVED PARTY OF THE
 RIGHT TO APPEAL TO THE BOARD OF  EDUCATION  FOLLOWING  A  RECOMMENDATION
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD14305-14-6
 A. 9537--B                          2
 
 MADE  BY  A RECONSIDERATION COMMITTEE, AND OF THE RIGHT TO APPEAL TO THE
 COMMISSIONER PURSUANT TO SECTION  THREE  HUNDRED  TEN  OF  THIS  CHAPTER
 FOLLOWING A DECISION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
   (B)  (I)  EACH RECONSIDERATION COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO PARA-
 GRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE COMPOSED OF AT LEAST ONE OF  EACH
 OF  THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS, AND EACH SUCH MEMBER SHALL BE AFFILIATED WITH
 THE RELEVANT SCHOOL DISTRICT:   (1) A  CERTIFIED  LIBRARIAN  OR  LIBRARY
 MEDIA  SPECIALIST;  (2)  A  TEACHER;  (3)  A SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR; (4) A
 PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF A CURRENT STUDENT IN SUCH DISTRICT; AND (5)  WHERE
 POSSIBLE,  A  STUDENT  CURRENTLY  ENROLLED IN SUCH DISTRICT, UNLESS SUCH
 DISTRICT DOES NOT OPERATE A HIGH SCHOOL.
   (II) EACH RECONSIDERATION COMMITTEE SHALL ISSUE A WRITTEN  RECOMMENDA-
 TION  IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE POLICY ADOPTED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (A) OF
 THIS SUBDIVISION.
   (III) A RECONSIDERATION COMMITTEE MAY BE A STANDING COMMITTEE  AT  THE
 DISCRETION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
   (C)  ALL  RECOMMENDATIONS  OF A RECONSIDERATION COMMITTEE SHALL FOLLOW
 THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S WRITTEN POLICIES ADOPTED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (A)
 OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
   2. (A) NO LIBRARY MATERIAL SHALL BE REMOVED OR RESTRICTED BASED SOLELY
 ON DISAGREEMENT WITH THE IDEAS, VIEWPOINTS, OR IDENTITIES REPRESENTED IN
 SUCH LIBRARY MATERIAL OR BECAUSE OF THE IDENTITIES OF SUCH LIBRARY MATE-
 RIAL'S AUTHOR, SUBJECT, OR CHARACTERS.
   (B) ANY LIBRARY  MATERIAL  SUBJECT  TO  REVIEW  BY  A  RECONSIDERATION
 COMMITTEE  SHALL REMAIN AVAILABLE TO RESERVE, CHECK OUT, OR ACCESS PEND-
 ING A RECOMMENDATION BY SUCH RECONSIDERATION COMMITTEE AND ANY APPEAL OF
 THE SAME.
   3. NO LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST OR OTHER  SCHOOL  EMPLOYEE  SHALL  FACE
 DISCIPLINARY  ACTION  FOR  SELECTING, RETAINING, OR RECOMMENDING LIBRARY
 MATERIALS IN REASONABLE RELIANCE ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S ADOPTED  POLI-
 CIES.  SUCH REQUIREMENT SHALL NOT LIMIT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S OR BOARD OF
 EDUCATION'S GENERAL SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY OVER EMPLOYEES, PROVIDED  SUCH
 SUPERVISION  IS NOT BASED ON DISAGREEMENT WITH THE VIEWPOINTS IN MATERI-
 ALS.
   4. THE COMMISSIONER, IN CONSULTATION  WITH  THE  STATE  LIBRARIAN  AND
 OTHER  STAKEHOLDERS,  SHALL PROMULGATE ANY REGULATIONS NECESSARY FOR THE
 IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS SECTION AND SHALL DEVELOP ONE OR MORE MODEL POLI-
 CIES FOR USE BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS. SUCH  REGU-
 LATIONS  SHALL BE LIMITED TO CARRYING OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION
 AND SHALL NOT PRESCRIBE  OR  REQUIRE  SPECIFIC  OUTCOMES  IN  INDIVIDUAL
 RECONSIDERATION  DECISIONS MADE BY BOARDS OF EDUCATION. SUCH REGULATIONS
 AND MODEL POLICIES SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH AND SHALL  NOT  DIMINISH  OR
 NARROW  THE  PROTECTIONS  ESTABLISHED  BY  THIS  SECTION. MODEL POLICIES
 DEVELOPED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE ADVISORY IN  NATURE  AND
 MAY  BE  ADOPTED,  IN  WHOLE  OR IN PART, OR ADAPTED BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS
 CONSISTENT WITH THIS SECTION.
   5. (A) SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS, AS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION  TWO
 HUNDRED  EIGHTY-TWO  OF  THIS CHAPTER, SHALL SUPPORT SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN
 IMPLEMENTING THIS SECTION, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE IN ADOPTING POLICIES  OR
 TAILORING  MODEL  POLICIES  CONSISTENT  WITH  THIS SECTION AND PROVIDING
 CONTINUING EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO SCHOOL  LIBRARIANS,
 ADMINISTRATORS,  AND  DISTRICT  LEADERS  REGARDING STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS
 GOVERNING SCHOOL LIBRARY MATERIALS.
   (B) SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS MAY PROVIDE GUIDANCE, TRAINING, OR  PROFES-
 SIONAL  DEVELOPMENT  TO  ASSIST SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL IN
 A. 9537--B                          3
 
 IMPLEMENTING THIS SECTION, CONSISTENT WITH EXISTING PROGRAMS, RESOURCES,
 AND OFFERINGS.
   § 3. This act shall take effect on the first of December next succeed-
 ing the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately,
 the  addition,  amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation neces-
 sary for the implementation of  this  act  on  its  effective  date  are
 authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.

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Assembly Bill A9537B

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status Via S8630 - Passed Assembly

Actions

Votes

Jun 2, 2026 - Floor Vote

Floor Vote: Jun 2, 2026

May 19, 2026 - Education Committee Vote

Education Committee Vote: May 19, 2026

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

2025-A9537 - Details

2025-A9537 - Summary

2025-A9537 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2025-A9537A - Details

2025-A9537A - Summary

2025-A9537A - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2025-A9537B (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-A9537B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-A9537B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

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Assembly Bill A9537B

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SIMONE

Current Bill Status Via S8630 - Passed Assembly

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co-Sponsors

Amy Paulin

Tommy Schiavoni

Phil Steck

MaryJane Shimsky

2025-A9537 - Details

2025-A9537 - Summary

2025-A9537 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

Amy Paulin

Tommy Schiavoni

Phil Steck

MaryJane Shimsky

2025-A9537A - Details

2025-A9537A - Summary

2025-A9537A - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

Amy Paulin

Tommy Schiavoni

Phil Steck

MaryJane Shimsky

2025-A9537B (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-A9537B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-A9537B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

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