SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – A new California law prohibits public libraries from banning books or other materials based on their content or viewpoints.
According to CBS 8’s report, Assembly Bill 1825, known as the California Freedom to Read Act, is one of dozens of new laws set to take effect on January 1, 2025. Authored by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, the bill ensures that public libraries cannot remove books or materials solely based on their subject matter or ideological perspectives.
The Freedom to Read Act comes at a time when school districts and public institutions nationwide are reviewing and removing books on certain topics from library shelves. According to the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, the number of unique book titles challenged in 2023 increased by 65% compared to the previous year.
Following the bill’s passage, Assemblymember Muratsuchi, who also chairs the Assembly Education Committee, stated:
“In California, we recognize that the freedom to read is a pillar of our democracy. Unfortunately, there is a growing movement across the country to ban books, and this bill ensures that Californians have access to diverse perspectives.”
Ensuring Inclusive Access to Books and Materials
The new law mandates that public libraries adopt a written, publicly accessible collection development policy, ensuring that books cannot be removed based on topics related to race, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, political affiliation, or socioeconomic status.
Additionally, the law protects sexually explicit content unless it is legally deemed obscene under previous U.S. Supreme Court rulings.
The bill has received support from multiple advocacy groups, including the California Library Association and Equality California, reinforcing the state’s commitment to literary freedom and intellectual diversity.
