Freedom to Read Bill Passes California Legislature

On August 29, the California State Senate passed Assembly Bill (AB) 1825, known as the California Freedom to Read Act. The bill is now awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature before it can become law.

The bill is designed to prohibit public libraries from banning books based on partisan or political reasons; viewpoint discriminations or reasons related to gender, sexual identity, religion, or disability; or on the basis that the books contain inclusive and diverse perspectives. It had earlier passed the California Assembly.

“California has an obligation to protect the fundamental right of access to diverse and inclusive books and library materials for everyone,” said Senator Dave Min, one of the bill’s sponsors. “The freedom to read is not only a fundamental right under our constitution, it’s at the heart of our nation’s democracy.”

“Book banning proponents are disproportionately targeting materials containing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQ and communities of color” said Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi. “We need to fight this movement to ensure that Californians have access to books that offer diverse perspectives from people of all backgrounds, ideas, and beliefs.”