Bill Text: NJ A5733 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Prohibits banning and restricting access to books in public libraries.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-11-20 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee [A5733 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-A5733-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman BRITNEE N. TIMBERLAKE
District 34 (Essex and Passaic)
Assemblywoman JACQUELINE S. YUSTEIN
District 28 (Essex)
Assemblywoman MILA M. JASEY
District 27 (Essex and Morris)
Assemblywoman SHAVONDA E. SUMTER
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson, Assemblyman Conaway, Assemblywomen Tucker, McKnight, Carter, Assemblymen Atkins and Wimberly
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits banning and restricting access to books in public libraries.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning public libraries and supplementing chapter 33 and chapter 54 of Title 40 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. A governing body of a free county or regional public library shall be prohibited from banning or restricting access to a book or other resource in its collection, except as may be required by federal law.
b. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the governing body of a free county or regional public library to purchase, or otherwise acquire, a book or resource for inclusion in its collection.
c. As used in this section:
"Free county public library" means any free county library established pursuant to R.S.40:33-1.
"Free regional public library" means any regional library established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1962, c.134 (C.40:33-13.3).
"Governing body" means a director or other chief administrative officer, a county library commission, and a board of county commissioners.
2. a. A governing body of a free municipal public library or joint free public library shall be prohibited from banning or restricting access to a book or other resource in its collection, except as may be required by federal law.
b. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the governing body of a municipal or joint free public library to purchase, or otherwise acquire, a book or resource for inclusion in its collection.
c. As used in this section:
"Free municipal public library" means any free public library established pursuant to R.S.40:54-1.
"Joint free public library" means any joint free public library established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1959, c.155 (C.40:54-29.3).
"Governing body" means a board of trustees and a director or other chief administrative officer.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill prohibits banning and restricting access to books in public libraries.
The bill prohibits a governing body of any free public library, joint free public library, free county library, and regional library from banning or restricting access to books or other educational resource materials, except as may be required by federal law. The bill's provisions should not be construed to require a free public library to purchase, or otherwise acquire, a book or resource for inclusion in its collection.
