The New Jersey Association of School Librarians is thrilled that S2421/A3446, the Freedom to Read Act, was passed by the full Senate on Monday, October 28.
The final step is to ask Governor Murphy for his signature.
The bill's passage provides protections for students' intellectual freedom and acknowledges that school libraries are centers for voluntary inquiry, fostering students’ growth and development. It also ensures that educational environments remain safe, inclusive, and resourceful for all. NJASL is hopeful that Governor Murphy will quickly sign this bill into law.
NJASL is grateful for the broad support of the many organizations that contributed to the passage of this bill. Thanks, too, to the dozens of individual community members, parents, and children who testified and reached out to their legislators on behalf of the bill. With the assistance of EveryLibrary and their online petition platform, over 1500 supporters sent messages to personally contact their legislators about the importance of this bill.
Please send a message to Governor Murphy to ask him to sign the bill.