BILL NUMBER: S10554A
SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to protecting the inde-
pendence of libraries and shielding librarians from civil and criminal
liability for certain actions
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To protect the professional independence of libraries and libraries from
forms of censorship including book banning.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Amends the education law by adding a new section 286. Establishes a
standard for the provision of library material by a public library
including prohibiting banning or removing books and materials because of
partisan or doctrinal reasons and provides protection for library staff
from civil and criminal liability for duties covered by this legis-
lation.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Over the last four years the American Library Association and the organ-
ization PEN America have documented that there has been a surge nation-
wide in attempts to censor and/or ban books and materials in public,
school, and academic libraries. There has also been the proliferation of
state level bills nationwide that would expose librarians to criminal
liability for their role in providing materials that certain individuals
or groups find objectionable. Such bills even when unsuccessful can have
a chilling effect, compromising the independence of libraries and
librarians. This bill would put in place a framework to preserve the
independence of libraries from interference and allow librarians to
perform work according to widely accepted professional standards without
fear of frivolous lawsuits.
** The A-print makes technical changes. **
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately