California Governor Signs Bill to Protect Freedom to Read Amid Growing Book Bans

California Governor Signs Bill to Protect Freedom to Read Amid Growing Book BansPhoto byOlena BohovykonUnsplash

California Governor Gavin Newsom has officially signed Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi’s California Freedom to Read Act (AB 1825), aimed at combating the increasing trend of book bans in public libraries.

This new legislation prohibits public libraries from banning books or materials based on their content, including discrimination based on race, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, political affiliation, or socioeconomic status.

The bill also mandates libraries to create a collection development policy that outlines how the public can challenge library materials.

Assemblymember Muratsuchi expressed gratitude to the governor for his support, emphasizing the importance of access to diverse perspectives, especially those from LGBTQ and communities of color. He stated, “In California, we know that our freedom to read is a cornerstone of our democracy.”