Raised Bill No. 1271 seeks to improve the management of school and public libraries in Connecticut by establishing a Library Working Group responsible for creating model policies on collection development, library displays, and material review. This group will include members from various educational and library associations and is required to submit its recommendations by March 1, 2026. The bill mandates that local and regional boards of education adopt policies ensuring that library materials are accessible and evaluated without discrimination, while promoting diverse viewpoints. It also introduces definitions for terms such as "library and other educational material" and "school library staff member," and establishes a uniform request for review and reconsideration form.

The bill outlines a formal process for challenging library materials, stipulating that requests can only be made by parents, guardians, or currently enrolled students. It requires that challenged materials remain accessible until a final decision is reached and establishes a review committee to evaluate these challenges within sixty school days. Additionally, public libraries must adopt collection development policies that are reviewed every five years, ensuring non-discriminatory evaluation of materials. The bill also provides legal protections for school library staff acting in good faith and allows for legal action against harassment. Overall, Raised Bill No. 1271 aims to create a fair and structured framework for managing library resources while safeguarding free expression and access to diverse ideas.