BILL NUMBER: S2423
SPONSOR: HOYLMAN-SIGAL
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to prohibiting libraries
and library systems from banning books or other materials based on
partisan or doctrinal disapproval
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this legislation is to prohibit libraries and library
systems from banning books or other materials based on partisan or
doctrinal disapproval
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one adds Section 286 to the education law to prohibit libraries
and library systems from proscribing, banning, or removing any books or
other materials because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
Section two sets an immediate effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Libraries are nexuses of enrichment for the community members and school
students that visit them. Unfortunately, book banning has dramatically
increased in libraries across the state and country in recent years.
When patrons and students use their local or school library, they should
be free to explore books that stimulate intellectual curiosity, provide
information on sensitive topics, and give voice to the lived experiences
of people with different beliefs and identities than their own. Recently
there has been a spate of complaints from a handful of individuals who
should not be in a position to limit access to reading materials for an
entire community. This legislation will protect libraries .from poli-
tical or doctrinal censorship so they may pursue their mission of
providing an educational and inclusive environment for all New Yorkers.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S9324 (Hoylman-Sigal) Died in Committee / A8870 ( Glick) Died
in Committee
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.