Massachusetts bill tightens library challenge rules

Massachusetts lawmakers advanced a bipartisan bill, 'An Act regarding free expression,' to set statewide standards for selecting and removing materials in school and public libraries, with the Senate sponsor saying the measure has passed the Senate. The bill requires age-appropriate, educationally justified selections, mandates ALA-based district policies, and limits removal to school committee votes after public hearings and a review finding the material has no educational, literary, artistic, personal or social value or is not age-appropriate. Opponents including the Massachusetts Family Institute say it would make it harder for parents to challenge sexually explicit books.