Signed by Governor Dan McKee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that establishes protections against the censorship of library materials and protects librarians, schools and teachers from being sued for "good faith" efforts to do their jobs in Rhode Island.

Highlights:

• Defines “censorship” as removing or restricting library materials because of a disagreement with the ideas, views, or identities of the authors or creators. Materials that are obscene or not age-appropriate are not protected by this rule (Sec. 1).

• Requires the state to create model policies for public and school libraries that (Sec. 1):

• Provide protection against censorship;

• Provide clear standards for curating and selecting library materials;

• Ensure a wide variety of viewpoints are available; and 

• Defines libraries as places for open learning, questions, and access to information.

• Establishes a process to challenge the censorship of library materials, including (Sec. 1):

• A request form submitted by someone connected to the school or library;

• A review by a team of librarians and government officials;

• A written decision within 30 days, with an option for appeal; and

• A rule that the same item cannot be challenged again for one year.

• Requires that materials, while under review, must stay available and protects libraries from losing funding for following these policies (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes protection for librarians and staff from being sued or punished if they follow the law in good faith (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes librarians, students, parents, and authors to go to court if a library or school removes materials without a fair review or in violation of any other aspect of the law (Sec. 1).

• Specifies effective date as immediate upon passage (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that establishes protections against the censorship of library materials and protects librarians, schools and teachers from being sued for "good faith" efforts to do their jobs in Rhode Island.

Highlights:

• Defines “censorship” as removing or restricting library materials because of a disagreement with the ideas, views, or identities of the authors or creators. Materials that are obscene or not age-appropriate are not protected by this rule (Sec. 1).

• Requires the state to create model policies for public and school libraries that (Sec. 1):

• Provide protection against censorship;

• Provide clear standards for curating and selecting library materials;

• Ensure a wide variety of viewpoints are available; and 

• Defines libraries as places for open learning, questions, and access to information.

• Establishes a process to challenge the censorship of library materials, including (Sec. 1):

• A request form submitted by someone connected to the school or library;

• A review by a team of librarians and government officials;

• A written decision within 30 days, with an option for appeal; and

• A rule that the same item cannot be challenged again for one year.

• Requires that materials, while under review, must stay available and protects libraries from losing funding for following these policies (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes protection for librarians and staff from being sued or punished if they follow the law in good faith (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes librarians, students, parents, and authors to go to court if a library or school removes materials without a fair review or in violation of any other aspect of the law (Sec. 1).

• Specifies effective date as immediate upon passage (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text