The bill amends existing laws related to libraries, focusing on the availability of materials and the processes for challenging them. It repeals the provision concerning the offense of furnishing a harmful item to a minor and the specific process for challenging materials in libraries. In its place, the bill mandates that libraries must establish a written policy prohibiting book banning to qualify for state funding, thereby promoting a diverse range of materials and protecting against censorship. Additionally, it clarifies that employees of schools, museums, or public libraries are not liable for disseminating materials deemed obscene while acting within their professional capacity.

Moreover, the bill introduces a new section, 13-2-215, which stipulates that the Arkansas State Library will only provide funding to public libraries that have a written policy against banning books based on partisan or doctrinal disapproval. It also repeals a provision that allowed libraries to disclose confidential records to patrons and their parents or legal guardians if the patron was under eighteen years of age, enhancing privacy protections for library users. Overall, the bill aims to promote access to information, uphold intellectual freedom, and safeguard the rights of library patrons.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1028 Original - 11-20-2024 02:50 PM: 5-27-212, 5-68-501, 5-68-308(c), 5-68-405(a), 6-25-105, 25-19-101, 13-2-106, 13-2-704(b)
Old version HB1028 V2 - 1-16-2025 03:11 PM: 5-27-212, 5-68-501, 01-16-2025, 5-68-308(c), 5-68-405(a), 6-25-105, 25-19-101, 13-2-106, 13-2-704(b)
HB 1028: 5-27-212, 5-68-501, 5-68-308(c), 5-68-405(a), 6-25-105, 25-19-101, 13-2-106, 13-2-704(b)