[CASL-L] Fwd: Legislative update 6.4.25

[CASL President]

Please excuse duplicate posting.

*Legislative Update*

*June 4, 2025*

*Freedom to Read Bill Passes the General Assembly *

*Moves to the Governor for Signature!*

June 3rd the Connecticut State Senate passed Senate Bill 1271 - An Act
Concerning School and Public Libraries. The House passed the bill on June
2nd. We are thrilled!

SB 1271 was inserted into the biennial budget bill early Monday. This bill
requires school and public libraries to have a collection development and
maintenance policy, a library program and display policy, and a
reconsideration policy. Each school district and public library board will
create these policies, but there is some language that is mandated in the
bill.

CASL will continue to work with our partners CLA and the CLC to create
model policies and implement this bill. Stay tuned for more information.


*Joint Statement*

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brian Farber, brian at monumentsquare.llc
Phone: 917-568-5066

 CT Library Leaders Applaud Passage of Freedom to Read, S.B. 1271
*Urge Governor Lamont to Sign Freedom to Read Bill Into Law*

MIDDLETOWN, Conn.– June 4, 2025 – Connecticut’s leading library
organizations applaud today the General Assembly’s passage of Senate Bill
1271
<https://casl.wildapricot.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=cDs%2floIJifQVJvD8tVFPjVxlukJyPoxPhhAQjI%2bxLYS01GTxHhC%2fez%2fSvyQHRA%2fC1G%2bTiMDuggXPDpJLSuloQTU%2fQEuyT9nUH051sIjYwWU%3d>,
calling it a critical step toward preserving free expression, protecting
local decision-making, and ensuring that library shelves remain open to
everyone. The legislation was included in Connecticut’s fiscal year budget
bill, which passed both the State House and Senate.

The Connecticut Library Consortium (CLC
<https://casl.wildapricot.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=cJAs7rLuaIdyIsfL7IJ1UsTQFiktvSiTfiQoi%2bZyZBszgwkpOLFik4Qxz1oejAm8VrJJba5e%2fe0j15vPQ0v0yydaeEgrSVg%2bxVV67RmgclY%3d>
), Connecticut Library Association (CLA
<https://casl.wildapricot.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=XMjEzUlr7r792%2fuNCHq8ZjLasFMfKsJN5GIwIi2GEX%2b7bwX8KD0KLhOkljHWUgPRy0D2eB7mU4wDQKwrvLHhMGtApxPROPOe%2b5cxhwfjwiQ%3d>
), and the Connecticut Association of School Librarians (CASL
<https://casl.wildapricot.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=eT4vJaNz%2btG%2bqKE5m3WlTV0paGAsh6A1VOvk%2f3p6H7lNnaZSdPb8AbKLK9MEj%2buip091VeiQpkpIIViKx%2fiudsf5TtvE9ZiIzt2B4IVrRr8%3d>
) now urge Governor Ned Lamont to sign the legislation into law.

“This bill gives us what every community deserves: clarity, fairness, and
trust,” said Ellen Paul, Executive Director of the Connecticut Library
Consortium. “This bill protects a library’s ability to carry books like the
Bible as much as it protects books about gender identity. It puts books by
conservative authors side-by-side with liberal points of view. It’s not
about who’s right, but the right to be heard, the right to think, and the
right to choose in the safety of our libraries.”

S.B. 1271 requires public and school libraries to adopt clear, written
policies outlining how materials are selected and how challenges to those
materials are handled. The process must be locally governed, open to
residents, parents, students, and school staff, and follow a fair,
transparent process. Earlier provisions that raised concerns, such as
language about defamation lawsuits, were removed during public negotiations.

“We’ve seen too many headlines across the country about books disappearing
from shelves because one group shouted the loudest,” said Scott Jarzombek,
President of the Connecticut Library Association. “This bill says, ‘Not
here.’ Connecticut communities deserve thoughtful, consistent policies, not
reactive and performative politics.”

“School libraries have always been spaces where students can explore the
world and begin to understand themselves,” said Val DiLorenzo, President of
CASL. “That doesn’t mean every book is right for every reader, but it does
mean students deserve the chance to choose with guidance, not censorship.”
Materials under scrutiny often deal with real-life topics, consent,
identity, mental health, and personal safety, that many young people and
adults are already navigating, often without context. The bill ensures that
decisions about those materials happen within communities, not through
blanket bans, online, or nationally-motivated campaigns. Key Provisions of
S.B. 1271

   -

   No book removed just for being offensive. The law makes clear that a
   book cannot be pulled solely because someone disagrees with it. Challenges
   must cite educational or professional concerns.
   -

   Local voices matter. Only town residents, parents, students, or school
   staff can file formal challenges—and they must do so in writing.
   -

   Protects library staff. Librarians following board-approved policy
   cannot be sued or harassed simply for doing their jobs.
   Materials stay available during review. Books remain on shelves until
   the challenge process is complete.
   -

   Policies must be public and inclusive. Every library must publish its
   collection policy, ensuring collections serve diverse populations and do
   not discriminate.

About the Connecticut Library Consortium
The Connecticut Library Consortium (CLC) is a state-mandated nonprofit
organization that supports, strengthens, connects, and champions
Connecticut libraries. CLC provides purchasing contracts, professional
development, and other value-added services for its 1,000+ public,
academic, school and special library members, and promotes libraries as
fundamental to a literate, equitable, and just society. Learn more at
https://www.ctlibrarians.org
<https://casl.wildapricot.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=cJAs7rLuaIdyIsfL7IJ1UsTQFiktvSiTfiQoi%2bZyZBszgwkpOLFik4Qxz1oejAm8VrJJba5e%2fe0j15vPQ0v0yydaeEgrSVg%2bxVV67RmgclY%3d>
.

About the Connecticut Library Association
The Connecticut Library Association (CLA) is a professional organization
committed to improving library services across the state and promoting
equal access to information for all residents. Learn more:
https://ctlibraryassociation.org
<https://casl.wildapricot.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=XMjEzUlr7r792%2fuNCHq8ZjLasFMfKsJN5GIwIi2GEX%2b7bwX8KD0KLhOkljHWUgPRy0D2eB7mU4wDQKwrvLHhMGtApxPROPOe%2b5cxhwfjwiQ%3d>
.

About the Connecticut Association of School Librarians
The Connecticut Association of School Librarians (CASL) represents K–12
library media specialists working to help students become lifelong learners
and critical thinkers. Learn more:https://casl.wildapricot.org
<https://casl.wildapricot.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=eT4vJaNz%2btG%2bqKE5m3WlTV0paGAsh6A1VOvk%2f3p6H7lNnaZSdPb8AbKLK9MEj%2buip091VeiQpkpIIViKx%2fiudsf5TtvE9ZiIzt2B4IVrRr8%3d>
.

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