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Massachusetts House passes bill safeguarding libraries from book bans
The measure sets review procedures and annual reporting, and it would protect librarians from discipline over book selections, supporters said.
- The House passed a bipartisan bill earlier this month requiring school and public libraries to adopt formal policies for handling book challenges, protecting access to books by preventing removals based on personal or political beliefs.
- Nearly 92% of complaints in 2025 were initiated by pressure groups, the report says, as Massachusetts ranked fourth nationally for restriction attempts with 4,235 unique titles challenged in the U.S. last year.
- Rep. Christopher Markey, D-Dartmouth, noted that 39% of challenged titles focus on LGBTQ+ people or people of color, calling it "absolutely" important to keep them on shelves as librarians curate collections based on professional training.
- Establishing a transparent system, the bill requires "clear and convincing evidence" before overruling a librarian's book selection, with Rep. Antonio F.D. Cabral, D-New Bedford, stating this creates fair procedures for handling complaints.
- The bill now moves to a conference committee with the Senate to reconcile differences between chambers, as both versions allow parents to challenge materials deemed not age-appropriate, reflecting shared legislative intent.
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Massachusetts House passes bill safeguarding libraries from book bans - Boston News, Weather, Sports
Home to the first public library and the first public school in the country, Massachusetts is known for education. Yet in 2025, the state ranked fourth in the nation for attempts
·Boston, United States
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House passes Scanlon measure for book removals – North Star Reporter
By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter A bill inspired in part by North Attleborough’s controversial removal of a library book from an elementary school has cleared a major hurdle on Beacon Hill. The Massachusetts House voted 153-3 on June 10 to approve legislation filed by state Rep. Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleborough) that would establish […]
·North Attleborough, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left3Leaning Right2Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution69% Center
Bias Distribution
- 69% of the sources are Center
69% Center
L 19%
C 69%
12%
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