New chapter in book ban battle

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With the challenges to library books and materials mounting, the House moved yesterday to protect librarians from the stress of censorship. In “blue” Massachusetts, 229 titles were challenged last year, per the American Library Association. And it’s librarians who are finding themselves on the front lines of the culture wars, combat they didn’t sign up for.

"Censorship efforts have real consequences. Librarians and educators have faced harassment online, through email and in-person simply for doing their jobs," Boston Rep. John Moran said yesterday on the House floor.

Back in November when the Senate passed its version of the bill, Cape and Islands Sen. Julian Cyr said he had been hearing from librarians about threats they've received, noting that books being targeted "most frequently include those with LGBTQ characters and themes, characters of color and stories that reflect the lived experience of marginalized people."

The House yesterday passed a bill aiming to bar politics or religion in determining how and if books are banned, and giving students the right to "receive information" including school library materials determined to be "educational and age-appropriate."

The bill would require school districts to develop written policies about the selection of library materials and challenges to them, aligning with standards set by the ALA. The bill also creates a formal review process for challenged materials, provides students, parents and guardians a pathway to appeal decisions, and protects school librarians from disciplinary action due to material selection.

In 2025, public libraries reported 33 formal challenges, according to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners — a figure that doesn't include school libraries. There were also 309 informal challenges to materials, services and programs across 86 public libraries, the Board reported. 

House Speaker Ron Mariano said in a statement that the bill comes "As Republican politicians across the country work to remove books from schools that don’t fit their strict ideological world view."

Three Republicans — Reps. John Gaskey, David DeCoste, and Donald Berthiaume — voted against the bill. Gaskey spoke against it on the floor while bringing forward what became a nearly unanimously rejected amendment that would have repealed an existing provision in state law shielding schools, libraries, their employees, and others affiliated from being convicted for disseminating material harmful to minors.

Gaskey said the bill, which could now head to House-Senate negotiations, "strips away the fundamental rights of local parents, it breaks the ability of elected school committees to manage their own districts, and hands that sovereign authority" to the ALA. – Ella Adams

Ella Adams is a reporter for the State House News Service. Reach her at [email protected]. 

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9:00 | Gov. Healey gives remarks at the 19th annual American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network research breakfast | 521 Overlook in Fenway Park, 14 Landsdowne Street, Boston

9:45 | Senate President Spilka joins the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce for a government affairs forum | InterContinental Boston, 510 Atlantic Ave., Boston | RSVP and More Info

11:00 | Senate holds formal session and is expected to pass a child welfare bill | Senate Chamber

11:00 | House meets in an informal session | House Chamber

11:00 | Ceres hosts a legislative briefing on a proposal to establish a Massachusetts Climate Bank. Supporters are angling to have the policy included in energy legislation expected to reach the governor's desk by the end of this session | Room 428

11:00 | Compassion & Choices Massachusetts Action Network and the End of Life Options MA Coalition host a lobby day highlighting legislation that would allow mentally capable, terminally ill adults with a prognosis of six months or less to request medication to end their life | Nurses Hall

11:45 | Gov. Healey delivers the keynote address at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce's 42nd annual business meeting and luncheon, where she is expected to speak about the state's economy and her plans for affordability and business growth | Great Wolf Lodge, 150 Great Wolf Dr., Fitchburg | Register

12:30 | Joint Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management holds public informational briefing regarding statewide emergency planning and interagency coordination in preparation for the FIFA World Cup matches to be hosted in Massachusetts | Room 222

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As electricity demand rises heading into the summer cooling season, National Grid is already taking steps to reduce risk, improve the customer experience, and support businesses and economic activity across the Commonwealth, helping bring energy to power possibilities for customers and communities. Investments in system reliability, coupled with proactive planning and newer technologies, help minimize disruptions and avoid costs that ultimately impact customers. — LEARN MORE

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How will Boston navigate federal policy challenges and economic woes in a time of political uncertainty? What are the challenges and opportunities facing Boston in 2026? Kicking off a blockbuster summer featuring the World Cup and America 250, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joins MASSterList columnist Jon Keller for an in-person fireside chat at the MCLE Conference Center in Downtown Crossing. Register here.

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