New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed a bill Monday that bans public and school libraries in the state from banning books.
The law would also implement protections against civil and criminal charges for librarians who comply with the law, according to . Associated Press.
This makes New Jersey the latest state to enact a ban on books, joining other Democratic-led states such as Illinois and Minnesota.
Murphy signed the bill at the Princeton Public Library, near Princeton University. The bill comes after Republican-leaning states in recent years have pushed back on books deemed inappropriate for young children, including books with sexually explicit content, books centered around LGBTQ+ and critical race theory, on school curricula and in school libraries. It was enacted in response to attempts to remove it from the
Supreme Court rejects appeal by Boston parents alleging racial discrimination in admissions policies
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill at the Princeton Public Library on Monday, December 9, 2024, that aims to prohibit public libraries and schools from banning books. (AP)
“This is the antithesis of any no-book state we've ever seen,” the governor said. “We're very proud to sign, but we also recognize that America, and this is another great example, is becoming a nation of patchwork quilts. It really does matter where you live. .”
Under the law, public and school libraries cannot exclude books because of the source, background, or views of the material or author. Libraries would also be prohibited from censoring books simply because they find them offensive.
The bill would allow the sale of books with “developmentally inappropriate content” to certain age groups. The law also requires local boards of education and public library governing bodies to establish policies regarding book acquisition and removal of library materials, including how to address concerns about specific titles.
This year, lawmakers in more than 15 states have proposed bills that would impose harsher penalties on libraries and librarians.
Critics slam school districts embroiled in transgender athlete controversy, California and Washington, D.C., lawmakers
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy speaks at the Princeton Public Library on Monday, December 9, 2024, before signing a bill aimed at banning schools and public libraries from banning books in the state. (AP)
Conservative parents and activists say the books are either too sexually explicit or inappropriate, especially for younger children. National groups such as Moms for Liberty argue that parents should have more say in what books they give their children.
Karen Grant, president of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians, said librarians praised the New Jersey law, saying it recognizes the professionalism of librarians and promotes libraries as a source of information.
“This bill protects students' intellectual freedom and recognizes school libraries as centers of self-directed inquiry that foster student growth and development,” Grant said.
Former librarian Martha Hixon spoke alongside the governor Monday about how her parents first suggested her library contained pedophilia and pornography during a 2021 school board meeting. She watched the livestream in shock after her parents objected to the release of his novel “Lone Boy.” Graphic depictions of sex between men and children by Jonathan Evison and illustrated memoir Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe.
Retired librarian Martha Hixon speaks at the Princeton Public Library on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. There, Gov. Phil Murphy was scheduled to sign a bill aimed at banning books from schools and public libraries. (AP)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Hixson said Monday it was time to celebrate after three years of harassment, saying the parents had suggested they should face criminal charges for making the books available.
“I'm so excited,” she said. “After more than three years of harassment, this legislation will provide relief to readers and librarians.”
The law is expected to go into effect within a year, but the state education commissioner and state librarian could begin taking steps to implement it.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
