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7/3/2025
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Freedom to Read Act becomes law
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STATE HOUSE — Legislation introduced by Sen. Mark McKenney and Rep. David Morales to protect libraries and their patrons from partisan or doctrinal book-banning efforts and affirm the free speech rights of authors, publishers and readers in Rhode Island was signed into law Wednesday.
The Freedom to Read Act (2025-S 0238B, 2025-H 5726A) will promote the free expression and free access of information by prohibiting the censorship of library materials.
“We can decide what books we want to check out from the library, and we can decide what our own children read or don’t read. But what we can’t do is decide what everyone else gets to read or what other people’s children get to read or not read,” said Senator McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick). “Reading is a gift, and it is so important that we stay protective of the gift of reading and that when someone wants to take it away, whether by banning books directly or by launching lawsuits attempting to intimidate libraries, schools and librarians because of a book they have on their shelves, we fight.”
The act charges the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, in collaboration with the chief of library services, to develop policies regarding library collection policies for public and school libraries in order to provide standards for the selection and curation of library material, establish criteria for the removal of existing school library material and provide protection against attempts to censor library material. These policies will be designed to support the freedom to read as a human right, encourage and protect the freedom of public libraries to acquire books and other materials without external limitations and ensure that these materials not be banned, removed, censored or have access to them restricted due to doctrinal or partisan disapproval.
“The passage of the Freedom to Read Act is a powerful victory for democracy, education, and the fundamental right to access knowledge,” said Representative Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence). “After years of advocacy from librarians, educators, parents, students and community leaders, we’ve made it clear that no one should be able to censor books or intimidate those who share them. This law protects the freedom to explore, learn and grow. Most of all, this ensures our libraries remain inclusive spaces for all. This is more than policy, it’s a promise to future generations that their right to read, to learn and to be seen will not be determined by fear or political agendas. It’s a promise that our stories matter.”
Under the legislation, any librarian who is subjected to discipline, termination or threats of discipline or termination for refusing to censor library materials in violation of policies established according to this legislation, will be able to seek injunctive relief in court.
For more information, contact:
Tristan Grau, Publicist
State House Room B20
Providence, RI 02903
401.222.4935
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