Text of VT H 807 (2024)
An act relating to a school library material selection policy
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As introduced
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BILL AS INTRODUCED
H.807
2024
Page 1 of 4
VT LEG #372815 v.2
H.807
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Introduced by Representatives Farlice-Rubio of Barnet, Andrews of Westford,
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Anthony of Barre City, Austin of Colchester, Berbeco of
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Winooski, Black of Essex, Bluemle of Burlington, Campbell of
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St. Johnsbury, Carpenter of Hyde Park, Casey of Montpelier,
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Chapin of East Montpelier, Chase of Chester, Chesnut-
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Tangerman of Middletown Springs, Christie of Hartford, Cina
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of Burlington, Cordes of Lincoln, Dodge of Essex, Garofano of
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Essex, Goldman of Rockingham, Headrick of Burlington,
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Hyman of South Burlington, LaLonde of South Burlington,
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LaMont of Morristown, McCann of Montpelier, McFaun of
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Barre Town, McGill of Bridport, Minier of South Burlington,
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Morris of Springfield, Mulvaney-Stanak of Burlington, Patt of
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Worcester, Priestley of Bradford, Rachelson of Burlington, Rice
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of Dorset, Roberts of Halifax, Small of Winooski, Surprenant of
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Barnard, Torre of Moretown, Troiano of Stannard, White of
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Bethel, and Williams of Barre City
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Referred to Committee on
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Date:
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Subject: Education; libraries; intellectual freedom; freedom of expression
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BILL AS INTRODUCED
H.807
2024
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VT LEG #372815 v.2
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require school
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districts and approved independent schools to adopt a library material selection
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policy and procedures for the reconsideration of materials, which shall be
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guided by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the American
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Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read Statement.
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An act relating to a school library material selection policy
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It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
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Sec. 1. 16 V.S.A. § 1624 is added to read:
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§ 1624. SCHOOL LIBRARY MATERIAL SELECTION POLICY
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(a) Each school board and each approved independent school shall develop,
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adopt, ensure the enforcement of, and make available in the manner described
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under subdivision 563(1) of this title a library material selection policy and
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procedures for the reconsideration of materials. The policy and procedures
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shall affirm the importance of intellectual freedom and be guided by the First
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Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the American Library Association’s
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Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read Statement, and Vermont’s
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Freedom to Read Statement.
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(b) In order to ensure a student’s First Amendment rights are protected and
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all students’ identities are affirmed and dignity respected, the policy and
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BILL AS INTRODUCED
H.807
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VT LEG #372815 v.2
procedures required under subsection (a) of this section shall prohibit the
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removal of school library materials for the following reasons:
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(1) partisan approval or disapproval;
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(2) the author’s race, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation,
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political views, or religious views;
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(3) school board members’ or member of the public’s discomfort,
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personal morality, political views, or religious views;
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(4) the author’s point of view concerning the problems and issues of our
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time, whether international, national, or local;
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(5) the race, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, political
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views, or religious views of the protagonist or other characters;
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(6) content that is relevant to the research, independent reading interests,
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or educational needs of a student based on the student’s age, development, or
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grade; or
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(7) content related to sexual health that addresses physical, mental,
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emotional, or social dimensions of human sexuality, including puberty, sex,
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and relationships.
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(c) The policy and procedures required under subsection (a) of this section
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shall ensure that certified school library staff are responsible for curating and
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developing collections that provide students with access to a wide array of
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BILL AS INTRODUCED
H.807
2024
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VT LEG #372815 v.2
materials tailored to the cognitive and emotional levels of the children served
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by the school.
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Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE
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This act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
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