Porzio Governmental Affairs proudly announces its representation of the New Jersey Library Association (NJLA) in a significant legislative victory aimed at protecting intellectual freedom and enhancing librarian rights across New Jersey.
The proposed legislation, S-3907, responds to the growing trend of book challenges and censorship attempts both within the state and nationwide. The bill mandates that libraries adhere to the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, which emphasizes libraries as bastions of free information and ideas.
Led by Beau Huch, Barbara DeMarco, and Lynn Nowak, the PGA team ushered the bill through the Assembly committee, where it passed with bipartisan support. This marks a significant step forward in the legislative process. Meanwhile, the Senate version awaits a vote in the Senate Education Committee.
In its current amended form, in addition to a model policy on the removal of books from a library, the bill would ensure that only local community stakeholders could challenge a book and that a committee of local stakeholders could review it to make a final determination on the book.
PGA remains committed to advocating for sensible policies that benefit communities statewide and supporting the NJLA’s mission to promote literacy and defend intellectual freedom.