PRIA Logo™
MassachusettsS 2726194th General Court (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act regarding free expression

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

House Ways and MeansHouse Steering, Policy and SchedulingBills in the Third Reading

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Job protections for librarians

If you select library materials in good faith and follow policy, you cannot lose your license or job for that choice. The law also bars discipline, probation, involuntary transfer, fines, or imprisonment for such selection. These protections apply to school library staff and public librarians.

State help to write library policies

The Board of Library Commissioners provides resources and sample policies to help schools and public libraries set or update their policies. The help follows American Library Association standards and is posted online. This makes it easier to create clear, compliant policies.

Clear rules for school libraries

School libraries must pick materials that are age-appropriate and educational. A licensed school library teacher, or the responsible employee if no teacher, makes choices using professional standards, not personal or political views. Only a staff member, a parent or guardian of a current student, or a current student can file a challenge. The item stays on the shelf during the review until the school committee or charter board votes after notice, a public hearing, and a committee review. Staff may remove outdated items or make room for new ones, but not for personal or political reasons. Each district or charter must have a written, ALA‑aligned policy posted online, allow court review of removal decisions, and report each year on all challenges from the prior school year.

Public libraries: local control and policies

Public libraries must adopt and publish a policy for selecting and using materials that follows the ALA Library Bill of Rights. Materials cannot be selected or removed because of personal, political, or religious views. Only people who live in the city or town may file a challenge, and residents or authors can ask a court to review removal decisions. Libraries must also report how many loans go to nonresidents and what share that is of total loans; the librarian must certify these numbers, which can be audited.

Statewide report on book challenges

By November 1 each year, the Board of Library Commissioners sends a public report on challenges to books and other materials. The report lists the library name and location, the title and author, and what happened with each challenge. This increases transparency but adds ongoing reporting work for the state board.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Adam J. Scanlon

    Democratic • House

  • Bruce E. Tarr

    Republican • Senate

  • Christopher Richard Flanagan

    Democratic • House

  • Dylan A. Fernandes

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jacob R. Oliveira

    Democratic • Senate

  • James B. Eldridge

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jason M. Lewis

    Democratic • Senate

  • Joanne M. Comerford

    Democratic • Senate

  • John F. Keenan

    Democratic • Senate

  • Julian Cyr

    Democratic • Senate

  • Liz Miranda

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mark D. Sylvia

    Democratic • House

  • Michael J. Barrett

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Connolly

    Democratic • House

  • Patricia D. Jehlen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Patrick M. O'Connor

    Republican • Senate

  • Paul R. Feeney

    Democratic • Senate

  • Rebecca L. Rausch

    Democratic • Senate

  • Robyn K. Kennedy

    Democratic • Senate

  • Ryan C. Fattman

    Republican • Senate

  • Thomas W. Moakley

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 357 • No: 291

House vote • 7/31/2026

Enacted

Yes: 156 • No: 1

House vote • 6/10/2026

Amendment 4 rejected

Yes: 23 • No: 133

House vote • 6/10/2026

Passed to be engrossed

Yes: 153 • No: 3

House vote • 6/10/2026

Amendment 3 rejected

Yes: 2 • No: 154

committee vote • 6/9/2026

Committee Favorable with Amendment: S.2726 “An Act regarding free expression” as amended

Yes: 23 • No: 0 • Other: 8

Bill Text

  • Chapter 189 of the Acts of 2026

    8/10/2026

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation