Prohibits libraries and library systems, including school libraries and school library systems from banning books or other materials based on partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A8870
SPONSOR: Glick
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to prohibiting libraries
and library systems from banning books or other materials based on
partisan or doctrinal disapproval
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this legislation is to prohibit libraries and library
systems from banning books or other materials based on partisan or
doctrinal disapproval
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one adds Section 286 to the education law to prohibit
libraries and library systems from proscribing, banning, or removing any
books or other materials because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
Section two sets an immediate effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Libraries are nexuses of enrichment for the community members and school
students that visit them. Unfortunately, book banning has dramatically
increased in libraries across the state and country in recent years.
When patrons and students use their local or school library, they should
be free to explore books that stimulate intellectual curiosity, provide
information on sensitive topics, and give voice to the lived experiences
of people with different beliefs and identities than their own. Recently
there has been a spate of complaints from a handful of individuals who
should not be in a position to limit access to reading materials for an
entire community. This legislation will protect libraries from political
or doctrinal censorship so they may pursue their mission of providing an
educational and inclusive environment for all New Yorkers.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: New bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None to the state.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
8870
IN ASSEMBLY
January 25, 2024
___________
Introduced by M. of A. GLICK -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Libraries and Education Technology
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to prohibiting libraries
and library systems from banning books or other materials based on
partisan or doctrinal disapproval
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 286 to
2 read as follows:
3 § 286. Prohibition on book banning. No library, or library system
4 established or operating under this article, including school libraries
5 and school library systems, shall proscribe, ban, or remove any books or
6 other materials because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
7 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13349-01-3