The Granite State Literacy Act requires local school boards and public libraries to establish policies for the curation and removal of library materials by July 1, 2026. The bill emphasizes the importance of intellectual freedom and equitable access to diverse viewpoints, particularly for materials representing protected classes. School boards must adopt a model policy developed by the Department of Education, which includes provisions for ongoing review of library materials to ensure age-appropriate content while prohibiting censorship based on disagreement with ideas. The bill also introduces a formal process for handling removal requests, including a request form and a review committee composed of stakeholders who must report their recommendations within 30 school days.

Additionally, the bill mandates that public library trustees adopt a curation policy that recognizes libraries as centers for voluntary inquiry and prohibits censorship. It requires the establishment of a procedure for ongoing review of materials and a public book removal policy, ensuring that challenged materials remain available until a final decision is made. The bill provides legal protections for librarians acting in good faith under these policies, shielding them from civil and criminal liability and allowing them to pursue legal action against harassment. The effective date for these policies is set for January 1, 2026, with the bill amending existing laws by inserting new provisions related to library curation and removal while deleting any conflicting language.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 202-A:2