Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that establishes the California Freedom to Read Act.

Highlights:

• Amends and redefines the “governing board or body of a public library” to read as a “library, or any body or commission designated to review the procurement, retention, or circulation of, or access to, library materials” (Sec. 1.2). 

• Authorizes that library materials in public libraries shall not be excluded from access to library materials solely on the basis of race, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, political affiliation, or any other characteristic listed in the government code (Sec. 1.2). 

• Specifies the library shall not exclude access to library materials in public libraries based on the status of the library materials, author, source, or the intended audience of the library materials (Sec. 1.2).

• Specifies the library materials contain inclusive and diverse perspectives (Sec. 1.2). 

• Specifies the library materials may contain sexual content unless otherwise qualified as obscene under the United States Supreme Court (Sec. 1.2).

• Specifies this paragraph does not apply to library materials excluded pursuant to a library maintenance and deaccession policy ( Sec. 1.2B).  

• Defines “library materials” as including but not limited to, books, serials, audio materials, audiovisual materials, instructional materials, maps, databases, government documents, records, photographs, and all other materials either tangible or intangible (Sec. 1.2F). 

• Exempts hardware, tools, instruments, computers, appliances, or other items that are not for the primary purpose of conveying ideas or information from the definition of library materials (Sec. 1.2F). 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that establishes the California Freedom to Read Act.

Highlights:

• Amends and redefines the “governing board or body of a public library” to read as a “library, or any body or commission designated to review the procurement, retention, or circulation of, or access to, library materials” (Sec. 1.2). 

• Authorizes that library materials in public libraries shall not be excluded from access to library materials solely on the basis of race, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, political affiliation, or any other characteristic listed in the government code (Sec. 1.2). 

• Specifies the library shall not exclude access to library materials in public libraries based on the status of the library materials, author, source, or the intended audience of the library materials (Sec. 1.2).

• Specifies the library materials contain inclusive and diverse perspectives (Sec. 1.2). 

• Specifies the library materials may contain sexual content unless otherwise qualified as obscene under the United States Supreme Court (Sec. 1.2).

• Specifies this paragraph does not apply to library materials excluded pursuant to a library maintenance and deaccession policy ( Sec. 1.2B).  

• Defines “library materials” as including but not limited to, books, serials, audio materials, audiovisual materials, instructional materials, maps, databases, government documents, records, photographs, and all other materials either tangible or intangible (Sec. 1.2F). 

• Exempts hardware, tools, instruments, computers, appliances, or other items that are not for the primary purpose of conveying ideas or information from the definition of library materials (Sec. 1.2F). 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the California Freedom to Read Act.

Highlights:

• Amends and redefines the “governing board or body of a public library” to read as a “library, or any body or commission designated to review the procurement, retention, or circulation of, or access to, library materials” (Sec. 1.2). 

• Authorizes that library materials in public libraries shall not be excluded from access to library materials solely on the basis of race, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, political affiliation, or any other characteristic listed in the government code (Sec. 1.2). 

• Specifies the library shall not exclude access to library materials in public libraries based on the status of the library materials, author, source, or the intended audience of the library materials (Sec. 1.2).

• Specifies the library materials contain inclusive and diverse perspectives (Sec. 1.2). 

• Specifies the library materials may contain sexual content unless otherwise qualified as obscene under the United States Supreme Court (Sec. 1.2).

• Specifies this paragraph does not apply to library materials excluded pursuant to a library maintenance and deaccession policy ( Sec. 1.2B).  

• Defines “library materials” as including but not limited to, books, serials, audio materials, audiovisual materials, instructional materials, maps, databases, government documents, records, photographs, and all other materials either tangible or intangible (Sec. 1.2F). 

• Exempts hardware, tools, instruments, computers, appliances, or other items that are not for the primary purpose of conveying ideas or information from the definition of library materials (Sec. 1.2F). 

Full Bill Text