Substitute Senate Bill No. 1271 establishes new policies for the development, maintenance, and review of library materials in both school and public libraries. It mandates that local and regional boards of education and public library governing bodies adopt specific policies that ensure library materials are evaluated and accessible without discrimination based on factors such as race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The bill introduces a formal process for individuals with a vested interest—defined as parents, guardians, or currently enrolled students—to challenge library materials, requiring that challenged materials remain available during the review process. Additionally, it prohibits the removal of materials solely based on personal offense and mandates that policies be reviewed and updated every five years.

The bill also provides legal protections for library staff who implement these policies in good faith, allowing them to take legal action against harassment related to their enforcement. It specifies that once a decision regarding a challenged material is made, it cannot be reviewed again for three years, and it allows for the consolidation of similar review requests. Furthermore, public libraries must comply with these policies to remain eligible for state grants, with potential funding losses for non-compliance. Overall, the legislation aims to ensure a fair and transparent process for addressing challenges to library materials while protecting the rights of both patrons and library staff.