Right to Read Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced
Summary
**Would set national standards and targeted funding to make sure every student has access to an *effective school library* and evidence-based reading instruction.** It would define what a quality library is, tie grants and data to library access, and focus on digital and information literacy training.
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- Students and families: Low-income, minority students, students with disabilities, and English learners would face new protections so they are not disproportionately enrolled in schools without effective libraries. States must report progress on access and reading supports.
- School staff and librarians: School librarians would be included as teacher-equivalent staff for hiring, retention, and professional development. Grants would fund recruitment, training, and library program improvements.
- States and local districts: New Title I and Title II rules would require library-focused plans and allow districts to use funds for library services, family engagement, and digital literacy projects. The bill would authorize $500 million per year for Comprehensive Literacy grants and $100 million per year for Innovative Literacy grants for FY2026–2030.
*Would authorize roughly $600 million annually for FY2026–2030, increasing federal education spending during that period.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Hundreds of millions for school libraries
If enacted, the bill would authorize $500 million a year for Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grants and $100 million a year for Innovative Approaches to Literacy for each fiscal year 2026–2030. States and districts would be able to use these funds to recruit, hire, and retain State‑certified librarians and paraprofessionals, buy books and devices, upgrade library facilities, and run family literacy programs. The bill would also allow existing ESEA formula and competitive grants to pay for librarian collaboration, training, digital and information literacy, and extended inquiry projects. The changes would add State library agencies as required partners and fund technical assistance and statewide coordination.
Biennial school library data collection
If enacted, the Department of Education would direct NCES to collect school library data every two years. The data would include library space, whether schools employ full‑time State‑certified librarians, counts of librarians and staff, types and counts of print and virtual collections, student devices, and librarian time for instruction and planning. The Secretary would report to Congress within one year and then every two years. The bill would authorize such sums as may be necessary each year to carry out the work.
Liability protections for school staff
If enacted, the bill would protect teachers, school librarians, principals, paraprofessionals, and other school staff from liability for harm when they act in line with State or local right‑to‑read policies. The protection would apply only when the person's actions conformed with those State or local policies. The bill would also preserve that liability protection even if a State chooses not to apply the rest of the subpart.
New national library and reading definitions
If enacted, the bill would set national definitions for an "effective school library," the "right to read," and "information literacy," and it would say school librarians are included in the legal term "teacher." The "effective school library" definition would require at least one full‑time State‑certified librarian, curated print and digital collections, facilities, and regular training. "Information literacy" would be defined to cover finding, evaluating, and using information across speech, print, video, and digital media. These definitions would apply in federal education programs and guidance upon enactment.
State and district library plans and rights
If enacted, State education plans would have to include a right‑to‑read policy and notify districts, schools, teachers, librarians, parents, and tribes about it. States would need to describe how they will stop low‑income, minority, disabled, and English learner students from being enrolled in schools without effective libraries, and report progress publicly. Local school district plans would have to say how they will support certified librarians and build digital and information literacy. The Secretary would also require States and LEAs getting Act funds to give an assurance that they will protect students' First Amendment rights in school libraries as a condition of funding.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
RI • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 12/4/2025
Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 12/4/2025
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 12/4/2025
Angus King
ME • I
Sponsored 12/4/2025
Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
RI • D
Sponsored 12/4/2025
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 12/4/2025
Chris Van Hollen
MD • D
Sponsored 3/3/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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