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 three specific policies: a collection development and maintenance policy, a library display and program policy, and a library material review and reconsideration policy. These policies must ensure that library materials are accessible and evaluated without discrimination based on factors such as race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The bill also introduces a formal process for individuals, including parents and guardians, to challenge library materials, requiring that challenged materials remain available during the review process and that decisions be made within sixty school days.

Additionally, the bill prohibits the removal or censorship of library materials solely based on personal offense and provides immunity from liability for library staff acting in good faith under these policies. It allows staff to pursue legal action against harassment related to their implementation of the bill. The policies must be reviewed every five years, and the bill specifies that once a decision regarding a challenged material is made, it cannot be reviewed again for three years. The bill also defines key terms to clarify its application and ensures that all relevant policies are publicly accessible, promoting transparency and accountability in library operations.