Rhode Island’s Freedom to Read Act provides safeguards for both public and school libraries, protections for librarians and staff, and is the first in the nation to guarantee writers and readers a special right of action against censorship.
This groundbreaking law also establishes the first-ever private right of action against book restrictions for readers and writers impacted by censorship, offering a crucial tool to fight book bans.
The law balances state oversight with local control, aligns with existing legal standards for obscenity, and requires following best practices without imposing financial penalties on libraries. It also establishes vital defenses against criminal prosecution for librarians and school staff who curate library collections according to their professional judgment and best practices.
“Rhode Island’s Freedom to Read Act is the strongest of any freedom to read laws enacted to date. We applaud the advocates and legislators who brought this legislation to fruition, and Governor McKee for signing it into law. The law’s robust protections for librarians, writers, and readers set an exemplary model that we hope to see other states replicate.”
– Laura Benitez, State Policy Manager, PEN America
The bill passed after a months-long campaign by a coalition of freedom to read advocates.
“Creativity is a courageous act that flourishes most when we are unafraid, and this law will help nurture our creators by supporting their right to write, which is vital. Most importantly, it supports the rights of our young people to read, especially young people who identify with marginalized groups, to see themselves portrayed with respect in books created for them,”
— Padma Venkatraman, Co-leader, Rhode Island Authors Against Book Bans
“We spent every waking minute building and broadening our coalition and trying to help our fellow citizens understand why this law was so important. I am deeply honored to have been part of this process and grateful that all of us in our state came together with our legislators to pass this bill and protect readers, writers, and all the people behind books.”
Legislative Leadership
The General Assembly passed legislation introduced by Sen. Mark McKenney and Rep. David Morales to protect libraries and their patrons from partisan or doctrinal book-banning efforts and to affirm the free speech rights of authors, publishers, and readers in Rhode Island.
The Freedom to Read Act (2025-S 0238B, 2025-H 5726A) promotes free expression and access to information by prohibiting the censorship of library materials.
“We can decide what books we want to check out from the library, and we can decide what our own children read or don’t read. But what we can’t do is decide what everyone else gets to read or what other people’s children get to read or not read,”
– Senator Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick)
What the Law Does
The act directs the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, in collaboration with the Chief of Library Services, to develop statewide policies for library collection practices. These policies will:
- Support the freedom to read as a human right
- Protect the ability of libraries to acquire books and materials without external limitations
- Prevent censorship, banning, or restriction of access due to partisan or doctrinal disapproval
“The passage of the Freedom to Read Act is a powerful victory for democracy, education, and the fundamental right to access knowledge” –Representative David Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence).
“After years of advocacy from librarians, educators, parents, students, and community leaders, we’ve made it clear that no one should be able to censor books or intimidate those who share them. This law protects the freedom to explore, learn, and grow. Most of all, it ensures our libraries remain inclusive spaces for all. This is more than policy—it’s a promise to future generations that their right to read, to learn, and to be seen will not be determined by fear or political agendas. It’s a promise that our stories matter.”
Under the legislation, any librarian who has been subjected to discipline, termination, or threats of discipline for refusing to censor library materials will be able to seek injunctive relief in court.
Rhode Island Freedom to Read Coalition
American Booksellers Association (ABA)
American Booksellers for Free Expression (ABFE)
Alliance of RI Southeast Asians (ARISE)
Common Cause Rhode Island
East Bay Citizens for Peace
Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island
New England Independent Booksellers Association (NEIBA)
National Education Association Rhode Island (NEARI)
Pride in Aging
Rhode Island ACLU
Rhode Island Atheists
Rhode Island Authors Against Book Bans
Rhode Island Center for the Book
Rhode Island Council of Churches
Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals (RIFTHP)
Rhode Island League of Women Voters
Rhode Island Library Association
TeachTruthRI Coalition
The Womxn Project
Rhode Island Center for the Book Statement
Rhode Island Center for the Book believes that every Rhode Islander should have access to a diverse array of reading selections and that the voices of the few should not limit the choices of the many. Public schools and libraries in our state already have systems in place to address concerns about an individual student’s reading choices. When pro-censorship individuals or organizations seek to overwhelm these systems and pressure educators and administrators to remove long lists of books, the result is soft censorship and an erosion of freedom for all Rhode Islanders.
