Update: HB119 has passed the state House and is moving to the Senate. Make your voice heard for free speech.
Protect the rights of readers. Support our libraries. Defend fairness.
House Bill 119, the Freedom to Read Act, is a commonsense, constitutionally grounded bill that gives Delaware’s public and school libraries the tools they need to serve everyone fairly and without political interference.
This important legislation:
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Requires public libraries to adopt clear, viewpoint-neutral policies for how books and materials are selected and how challenges are reviewed.
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Ensures that school libraries follow fair procedures, allowing only students, families, and staff in a school to challenge materials, and keeps books available during that process.
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Prohibits censorship based on ideology, religion, or the identity of an author, ensuring all Delawareans can access information freely.
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Protects librarians and educators from retaliation when they follow policy and law, helping them do their jobs without fear or intimidation.
HB119 strikes the right balance between local control, professional judgment, and due process—all in support of students, families, and communities.
Read the op-ed "Let’s protect the right to read in Delaware fairly and responsibly" by Catherine Wimberley and Stephanie Saggione, Delaware Library Association on May 15, 2025
TAKE ACTION NOW
Please tell your state senator to support and pass HB119 during this session.