Freedom to Read Act

Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 1 and Title 49, Chapter 6.

Tennessee SB1130, titled the "Freedom to Read Act," aimed to establish guidelines for library materials in schools, ensuring they are age-appropriate and accessible while prohibiting the removal of materials based on the creator's background or ideological views. The bill required local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools to adopt policies for reviewing library collections and mandated timely reviews of materials upon receiving feedback from students, parents, or staff. Additionally, it sought to remove the authority of the state textbook and instructional materials quality commission in evaluating library materials and handling appeals related to their appropriateness. The bill ultimately failed to pass.