Bill Text: CA AB1825 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: California Freedom to Read Act.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-04-30 - Re-referred to Com. on APPR. [AB1825 Detail]

Download: California-2023-AB1825-Introduced.html

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CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 1825

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Introduced by Assembly Member Muratsuchi
(Principal coauthor: Senator Min)

January 11, 2024

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An act relating to libraries.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 1825, as introduced, Muratsuchi. Libraries: book bans.

Existing law establishes a public library system, including school libraries, unified school district and union high school district public libraries, municipal libraries, county free libraries, the California State Library, and library districts. Under existing law, the Legislature declares that the public library is, among other things, a source of information and inspiration to persons of all ages, cultural backgrounds, and economic statuses.

This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would prevent public libraries from banning books for partisan or political reasons or in a manner that is motivated by animus based on race, gender, sexuality, religion, disability, or socioeconomic status. The bill would additionally declare the intent of the Legislature to establish procedures for removing books from public libraries, as specified.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NO   Local Program: NO  

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Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would prevent public libraries from banning books for partisan or political reasons or in a manner that is motivated by animus based on race, gender, sexuality, religion, disability, or socioeconomic status. It is further the intent of the Legislature to establish procedures for removing books from public libraries consistent with the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Board of Educ., Island Trees Union Free School Dist. No. 26 v. Pico (1982) 457 U.S. 853.