BILL: Books Save Lives Act (H.R. 6830)

H.R. 6830 - Books Save Lives Act

Bill Overview

• Title: Books Save Lives Act
• Introduced by: Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.)
• Purpose: To mandate certain libraries to sustain a diverse and inclusive collection of books. 

Current Status

• The bill was introduced by Rep. Pressley and referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Key Elements of the Bill

• Trained Library Staff:
  • Requires covered schools — meaning schools that are controlled or directed by a local educational agency receiving federal funding — to maintain a staff of trained librarians.
• Library Book Selection:
  • Public libraries receiving federal funding must maintain a diverse collection of books, including works by and about members of underrepresented communities.
• Civil Rights Enforcement:
  • Establishes that the exclusion of such books in covered schools or libraries is evidence of discrimination and potentially violates various civil rights statutes, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans Disabilities Act of 1990. 
• Report on Book Ban Campaigns:
  • Directs the Comptroller General of the U.S. to report on the impact of recent book ban campaigns in public libraries and schools on underrepresented and marginalized communities.

Supports and Critiques

• Rep. Pressley said on the House floor:

"Rather than honor the brilliance and diversity of our authors, illustrators, and librarians, Republicans are focused on further marginalizing people who already face systemic discrimination in our society – including people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, religious minorities, and people with disabilities – through discriminatory book bans. The Books Save Lives Act pushes back on this dangerous trend and reaffirms the need for representative literature..."

• Support for book bans from Republican lawmakers:
  • Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has removed roughly 300 books from Florida schools and libraries for "inappropriate" material. These books cover topics such as gender identity, racism, LGBTQ+ families, and more. DeSantis claims that not a single book in Florida has been banned as they are available for purchase in bookstores.
  • Opponents of book bans say that despite DeSantis' claims, censorship in libraries is still a social justice issue.