The Granite State Literacy Act requires local school boards and public libraries in New Hampshire 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, mandating that school libraries include materials that reflect a variety of perspectives, particularly from protected classes. It prohibits censorship based on disagreement with ideas or offensive content, while allowing restrictions on materials deemed developmentally inappropriate for certain age groups. The Department of Education is tasked with developing a model policy to assist school boards in this process. Additionally, the act introduces new sections to RSA 189 and amends RSA 202-A:2 to include relevant definitions.

SB 208-FN further establishes requirements for public libraries, mandating library trustees to adopt a curation policy by July 1, 2026, which recognizes libraries as centers for voluntary inquiry and prohibits censorship. The bill outlines a procedure for residents to request the removal of materials, including the formation of a review committee to evaluate such requests and the obligation for library trustees to provide written statements regarding their final decisions. It also includes 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 for harassment related to compliance. The effective date for these policies is set for January 1, 2026, ensuring that public libraries maintain diverse collections while providing a structured process for addressing challenges to library materials.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 202-A:2