Bill HF4373

Session 2024

Bill Introduced By
Vee Reeves*
South High School
House

House Author
Vee Reeves*

A bill for an act relating to

Book banning prohibited, public library bill of rights established, eligibility requirements modified for various library state aids, and private right of action created and attorney general enforcement provided.

View HF4373 at revisor.mn.gov

Committee Hearing

Path	Committee	Action
1	Education Committee	Passed
2	Judiciary Committee	Passed
3	Rules Committee	Passed

Legislative Action

	Action
House	Passed
Senate	Passed
Governor	Signed

Select Amendment

1.1          A bill for an act
1.2          relating to public libraries; prohibiting book banning; establishing a public library
1.3          bill of rights; modifying eligibility requirements for various library state aids;
1.4          creating a private right of action and providing for attorney general enforcement;
1.5          proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 134.
1.6          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7          Section 1. [134.55] BOOK BANNING PROHIBITED; PUBLIC LIBRARY BILL
1.8          OF RIGHTS.
1.9                          Subdivision 1.Policy statement. It is the policy of the state to encourage and protect
1.10       the freedom of public libraries and public library systems to acquire materials without
1.11       external limitation and to be protected against attempts to ban, remove, or otherwise restrict
1.12       access to books or materials.
1.13                       Subd. 2.Definition. For purposes of this section, the term "public library" means:
1.14       (1) a library that provides free access to all residents of a city or county, receives at least
1.15       half of its financial support from public funds, and is organized under the provisions of this
1.16       chapter, except for libraries such as law, medical, or other libraries organized to serve a
1.17       special group of persons;
1.18       (2) a library under section 134.195;
1.19       (3) a school district or charter school library or media center; and
1.20       (4) a public higher education institution library.
2.1                          Subd. 3.Library bill of rights The state affirms that all public libraries are forums for
2.2          information and ideas and that the following basic policies shall be adopted to guide their
2.3          services:
2.4          (1) books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information,
2.5          and enlightenment of all people in the community the library serves. Materials should not
2.6          be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their
2.7          creation;
2.8          (2) libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on
2.9          current and historical issues;
2.10       (3) library materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal
2.11       disapproval;
2.12       (4) libraries should challenge censorship to fulfill their responsibility to provide
2.13       information and enlightenment;
2.14       (5) libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting the
2.15       abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas; and
2.16       (6) a person's right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin,
2.17       age, background, or views.
2.18                       Subd. 4.Eligibility for aid. Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter, a public
2.19       library is not eligible to receive any state aid or grant under this chapter unless the library
2.20       or the entity that controls the library has adopted the public library bill of rights under
2.21       subdivision 3.
2.22                       Subd. 5.Book banning prohibited. A public library must not ban, remove, or otherwise
2.23       restrict access to a book or other material based on its viewpoint or the message, ideas, or
2.24       opinions it conveys.
2.25                       Subd. 6.Enforcement; civil action. (a) Any person injured by a violation of subdivision
2.26       5 may bring a civil action against the public library or the entity that controls the library for
2.27       injunctive relief together with costs and reasonable attorney fees, and receive other equitable
2.28       relief as determined by the court. In addition to all other damages, the court may impose a
2.29       civil penalty payable to the plaintiff of up to $5,000 for each violation. Civil remedies
2.30       allowable under this section are cumulative and do not restrict any other right or remedy
2.31       otherwise available. If the court determines that an action brought under this subdivision is
2.32       frivolous and without merit and a basis in fact, it may award reasonable costs and attorney
2.33       fees to the defendant.
3.1          (b) The attorney general may enforce this section under section 8.31.
3.2                          Subd. 7.Limitations. (a) Nothing in this section shall limit a library's authority to decline
3.3          to purchase, lend, or shelve or to remove or restrict access to books or other materials as a
3.4          legitimate part of the library's regular collection development practice or to comply with
3.5          state or federal law.
3.6          (b) Nothing in this section shall impair or limit the rights of a parent, guardian, or adult
3.7          student under section 120B.20.

3.8          EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

Author
Vee Reeves*
South High School
House

Essay

Bill HF4373

Bill HF4373 is a bill that prohibits book banning from public libraries in Minnesota. It’s a policy that protects the freedom of public libraries and does not limit access to books. It enforces that all public libraries should provide information on historical and current events from different points of view. The bill says that a public library should not ban, remove, or restrict access to a book based on the viewpoint, message, or opinions it conveys to people. Nothing should limit a person's ability to access current or past information.

I believe that bill HF4373 is important to implement in Minnesota because of what's happening now in the United States of America. Particularly what's happening in more southern republican states. Children in the state of Florida can’t check out certain books based on the contents, for example in Florida minors cannot check out books such as “Rainbow Fish” because of it’s contents. Minors should not have to have their parents be present and consent to them checking out books to learn about history, gender, sexuality, etc. Books should not be banned from public libraries based on their contents because it reinforces ignorance on topics that are important to know. And re-enforces the idea that history repeats itself if not taught to the next generation.

The history of book banning itself has skyrocketed in recent years. The issue is one of the most talked about on social media and by book readers. Book banning has always been deeply rooted in religion. In the 17th century, Puritans believed that certain books were dangerous to their religion and looked for ways to restrict them. Even punishing people for example by banishing them, when they distributed or consumed the banned books. Most of these books were science-related literature or even just Christmas carols. Even William Shakespeare's work was banned for a long time by the Puritans. Throughout history though, book banning with the reasoning of religion has always failed. Because it showed the harm of banning books, and demonstrated it as a way to gain power over people.

Book banning has also been an act of racism, censoring Black American history. Many school districts across the U.S. have banned books talking about black history, trying to erase what has happened to Black Americans. These school districts have banned books such as The Bluest Eye, in an attempt to silence Black writers. Many American school districts have tried to falsify history, teaching children a false version of history leading to them denying later in life what has happened to Black Americans. Racism in book banning is also rooted in Jim Crow laws and White supremacy, which made it impossible for Black Americans to pick up a book.

Some schools and libraries argue that children should not be exposed to books depicting sex, violence, drug use, gender, or any other “inappropriate” topics in a library. A survey in 2023 by BookRiot and the EveryLibrary institute showed that 60% of parents agree that school libraries should restrict access to certain books and have parental permission to check out books. These parents believe they should have the right to restrict access to books their children read. And that children should not be exposed to any of these topics, let alone at school. A lot of conservative groups like Moms Of Liberty have put pressure on public libraries and schools to ban books that represent the voices of lgbtq+ and Bipoc individuals.

In 2022 the U.S. saw the largest number of attempted book bans in more than 20 years. Most towards books by lgbtq authors, and that talk about being queer. Book banning has been an attempt to silence voices, and try to erase the history of lgbtq+ individuals. Books such as Gender Queer, This Book Is Gay and Lawn Boy. Have been criticized for their queer themes, causing them to be banned from libraries and schools. Books like these have helped people find their identity, helping them be more comfortable with the idea of being queer. And making being lgbtq+ more accepted in society. The banning of these books discourages lgbtq+ people from expressing themselves and can make lgbtq+ people feel like there's something wrong with them.

In 2022 attempts to ban books doubled since 2021, particularly in more southern states. The reason why this bill should be passed is to protect people from having their access to books limited in Minnesota. This bill personally affects me because I am a Palestinian-American student living in Minnesota. I want to be able to continue to access books that widen my knowledge and don’t keep me in a bubble of false history. Passing bill HF4373 would move Minnesota in the right direction and set the example for other states to follow suit in not banning books from public libraries or schools based on the book's contents.

Bibliography

Track bill

Bill HF4373

Introduced To House: February 28, 2024

https://trackbill.com/bill/minnesota-house-file-4373-book-banning-by-public-libraries-and-school-libraries-prohibited-and-private-right-of-action-created-and-attorney-general-enforcement-provided/2289098/

National Geographic

History of book banning in the United States Of America.

Date Published: September 20, 2024

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/history-of-book-bans-in-the-united-states

Care Harder

History of book banning related to religion.

Date Published: April 14, 2024