Freedom to Read Act

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Public library materials can no longer be censored in Rhode Island, thanks to legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Dan McKee last year. Sponsored by Senator Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick) and Representative David Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence), the law protects libraries from partisan book-banning efforts and promotes the free speech and expression of authors and readers. It requires public and school libraries to establish policies regarding library materials and ensure that they are not banned, censored or removed because of partisan or doctrinal concerns. Any librarian who faces discipline or termination by refusing to censor materials would be able to sue for damages. The law had the widespread support of librarians, authors, booksellers, publishers and several other organizations. Book bans have increased across the country since 2021, with more than 10,000 bans occurring during the 2023–2024 school year, according to PEN America, an organization that defends the free speech of writers, journalists and readers