
Governor Murphy signs Freedom to Read Act
Law Protects Intellectual Freedom at New Jersey Libraries
NEW JERSEY – Governor Phil Murphy Monday signed into law A3446/S2421, known as the Freedom to Read Act, which prevents arbitrary book banning and protects the rights of students, parents, and communities to have free access to age-appropriate books and learning materials at schools and public libraries.
Governor Murphy signed the bill at the Princeton Public Library, joined by advocates for intellectual freedom and the bill’s legislative sponsors.
“The Freedom to Read Act cements New Jersey’s role on the forefront of preventing book bans and protecting the intellectual freedom of our educators and students. Across the nation, we have seen attempts to suppress and censor the stories and experiences of others. I’m proud to amplify the voices of our past and present, as there is no better way for our children to prepare for the future than to read freely,” said Murphy.
“Part of our responsibility as educators and education policymakers is to empower students by providing access to diverse ideas, knowledge, and perspectives,” said Acting Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer. “The Freedom to Read Act demonstrates our commitment to the educational excellence that defines our state. Through this legislation, we are protecting the integrity of our libraries that are curated by dedicated professionals and making those resources available to help every student to grow as a critical thinker.”
“The Freedom to Read Act exemplifies New Jersey’s commitment to providing residents with access to high quality library materials, while also acknowledging that the needs of local communities and schools differ. With this Act, New Jersey has assured that local interests guide the development of local collections based on local needs,” said Jennifer R. Nelson, New Jersey State Librarian.
This legislation requires local school boards and governing bodies of public libraries to establish policies for curation and removal of library materials, including a system of review to address concerns over library materials. The Department of Education, the State Librarian, the New Jersey Association of School Librarians, and the New Jersey School Boards Association will support establishing these policies.
The Freedom to Read Act also provides protections for library staff members against civil and criminal lawsuits related to complying with this law.
Under the law, boards of education and governing boards of public libraries are barred from excluding books because of the origin, background, or views of the material or of its authors. Further, boards of education and governing boards of public libraries are prevented from censoring library material based on a disagreement with a viewpoint, idea, or concept, or solely because an individual finds certain content offensive, unless they are restricting access to developmentally inappropriate material for certain age groups.
The primary sponsors of the Freedom to Read Act are Senator Andrew Zwicker, Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, Assemblywoman Mitchelle Drulis, Assemblywoman Shavonda E. Sumter, and Assemblyman Herb Conaway Jr.
“The freedom to read and to freely access information is an essential part of a quality education and a core component of our democracy,” said Senate President Nick Scutari. “This law will help New Jersey libraries guard against politically-inspired censorship and protect librarians from harassment for simply doing their job. I commend Senator Zwicker and Senate Majority Leader Ruiz for their principled commitment to this issue.”
“The freedom to read is essential for a healthy democracy and foundational for lifelong learning. This law will provide protections for that right as well as ensure community input for clear standards regarding age-appropriate material in schools and public libraries,” said Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. “Local school and library boards, accountable to their constituents, will have a fair, standardized process to review requests for changes, free from intimidation. I thank the sponsors of this legislation as well as all the educators and librarians who have dedicated their lives to sharing knowledge and exchanging ideas. We all benefit from their work.”
“Our libraries are a sacred community resource, not a place for censorship. The materials they offer should not be restricted based on partisan views or revisionist history,” said Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz. “Libraries often provide the foundation for children’s education and become incubators of ideas. We must protect these critical institutions and the librarians who provide information that is instrumental in shaping young minds.”
“Public and school libraries have come under attack by a small number of individuals hoping to erase diverse materials from bookshelves, usually targeting works focused on race and LGBTQ+ themes. Today, New Jersey stands firmly in defense of the freedom to read and the importance of inclusive educational spaces,” said Senator Andrew Zwicker. “A library is a place of voluntary inquiry and provides equitable access to learning resources. Today, we ensure that every New Jerseyan has the freedom to choose what they want to read, and parents will continue to have the freedom to choose what their children read. But no one else gets to decide for you. That, quite simply, is the ‘Freedom to Read.’”
“School libraries and public libraries are centers for voluntary inquiry, playing a unique role in promoting intellectual freedom, providing equitable access to learning resources, and promoting democracy,” said Assemblywoman Drulis. “This bill does not remove parental rights; instead, it provides a structured, transparent process for parents to challenge materials they may find inappropriate. Parents will continue to have the right to decide what their own child reads, but one parent should not have the ability to solely determine what another parents’ child can read.”
“Access to diverse literary resources is fundamental to fostering intellectual growth and cultural understanding,” said Assemblywoman Sumter. “We must protect this right and ensure equitable access to diverse perspectives. These rights extend beyond the school door and into our public libraries. We cannot, must not, and will not compromise on equitable access to these vital resources.”
“Today, we are taking significant steps to ensure that our school libraries remain a stronghold of knowledge and intellectual diversity, reflecting a commitment to protecting the rights of students to access a broad range of ideas while respecting their developmental needs,” said Assemblyman Conaway. “By implementing a thorough review process, we fortify our educational system against the suppression of certain viewpoints while simultaneously providing safeguards for librarians and educators acting in good faith.”