DelawareHB 119 w/ HA 1, HA 7, HA 8153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 9, 14, AND 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LIBRARIES.

Sponsored By: Krista Griffith (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Anti-retaliation for librarians and staff

Public libraries, county library agencies, and school districts may not punish employees or contractors for following collection principles or policies. This covers firing, demotion, suspension, transfer, reassignment, or other discipline. The protection applies to librarians, library media specialists, and other staff.

Public libraries must follow fair collection rules

Public libraries must have a written collection policy that follows State rules. Libraries cannot remove items because of an author’s background, views, or partisan or religious disapproval. The Division of Libraries, with the Consortium, creates a state model policy and templates. County library agencies must also keep such a policy. Libraries that contract with the Division must follow these policies.

School libraries follow fair collection rules

School libraries must provide materials for students and staff. They cannot remove items because of an author’s background, views, or partisan or religious disapproval. The Division creates a model school library policy and templates. Each school district or LEA must set a uniform review process. Materials under review stay available and reviews must finish in a reasonable time.

Clear appeals for school library disputes

Only a student at the school, that student’s parent or guardian, or school staff can file an objection. After the local review, you can appeal to the school board, which must decide within 30 days. A student, parent, or staff member who was not part of the original case may also appeal. A state School Library Review Committee hears further appeals. The Committee’s decision is final and applies only to that one school. All objection and appeal records are public.

Clear process to challenge public library books

Only people tied to the library’s area can object: residents, business owners, or property owners. You may have only one active objection at a time. The material stays available while the review happens. The Division can set appeal rules, and the State Librarian makes the final decision. Records of objections, reviews, appeals, and decisions are public.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Krista Griffith
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Stephanie T. Bolden
Democratic • House
William Bush
Democratic • House
Daniel Cruce
Democratic • Senate
Mara Gorman
Democratic • House
Debra Heffernan
Democratic • House
Kyra L. Hoffner
Democratic • Senate
Russell Huxtable
Democratic • Senate
Kendra Johnson
Democratic • House
Kamela T Smith
Democratic • House
S. Elizabeth Lockman
Democratic • Senate
Melissa Minor-Brown
Democratic • House
Eric Morrison
Democratic • House
DeShanna U Neal
Democratic • House
Marie Pinkney
Democratic • Senate
Cyndie Romer
Democratic • House
Melanie Ross Levin
Democratic • House
Claire Snyder-Hall
Democratic • House
David P. Sokola
Democratic • Senate
Laura V. Sturgeon
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 41 • No: 16

Senate vote • 7/1/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 14 • No: 6

House vote • 5/22/2025