Massachusetts became the latest state to pass a law protecting the right to read. 

Governor Healey signed the bill last week after years of consideration in the state legislature and advocacy by groups like Mass Freedom to Read. S.3241, An Act Regarding Free Expression, protects both school and public libraries by:

• Putting trust in the trained professionals who select materials for their collections. 
• Requiring libraries have collection policies outlining how they make decisions about what to include in the library 
• Permitting people to challenge materials
• Safeguards librarians from losing their job or license by standing up for the right to read. 

The law makes clear that materials in the library cannot be removed for partisan, personal, or doctrinal views. Schools are also required to submit to the state each year a list of titles that were challenged.

Massachusetts is the 13th state to pass an anti-book ban law. 

Massachusetts authors, librarians, and literary advocates pose with the state’s Freedom to Read law, passed last week. From left to right: Heidi Stemple, Grace Lin, Mike Curato, Malinda Lo, Dana Alison Levy, Nicholas LaRue, Andrea Fiorillo (Reading Public Library Head of Public Services and co-chair of the Massachusetts Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom and Social Responsibilities Committee), Michelle Cusolito, Gina Gagliano (Boston Comic Arts Foundation), and Federico Erebia.

Since 2023, states have passed various Freedom to Read/Anti-Book Ban laws, applicable to either their public school libraries, public libraries, or both.

• Illinois was the first state to pass such a law, protecting both school and public libraries.
• Other states with laws protecting both school and public libraries include: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.
• Oregon and Washington have laws applicable to public school libraries.
• Vermont’s law is applicable to public libraries. 

Late last year, New York’s governor elected not to sign their freedom to read law, despite its passage in the state legislature. Advocates in New York continue to work toward a new piece of legislation. 

Massachusetts was one of four states–including Alaska, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania–trying to pass such a law in the 2025-2026 legislative session. Though none of the other states successfully passed their bills, it was not due to lack of support. It was due to lack of time during the session. It is likely we’ll see these appear in the next legislative year. 

Freedom to Read/Anti-Book Ban Laws are a reminder that libraries represent the whole of a community and that library workers are professionals who deserve to be respected as such.