The House Resolution introduced by Representatives Powell, Khan, Waxman, Sanchez, Hill-Evans, Giral, Donahue, Schlossberg, Freeman, and Green on January 28, 2025, directs the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a comprehensive study on the quality of carceral libraries within the Commonwealth. The resolution emphasizes the importance of education as a fundamental human right, particularly for incarcerated or detained individuals, and highlights the role of library services in supporting rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society. It notes that access to library resources can enhance educational qualifications, vocational training, and legal knowledge, ultimately promoting independence and self-directed learning among those in correctional facilities.

The resolution outlines specific areas for the study, including the adequacy of book and media collections, user services, technical services, and overall accessibility of library resources for incarcerated individuals. It mandates that the Joint State Government Commission assess the strengths and weaknesses of current library policies and provide policy recommendations to address any identified inadequacies. The Commission is required to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives within one year of the resolution's adoption.