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118th Congress Education

H.R. 2889: Right to Read Act of 2023

Introduced

  1. Introduced (completed)Apr 26, 2023
  2. Passed House (not reached)
  3. Passed Senate (not reached)
  4. To the President (not reached)
  5. Became law (not reached)

Summary

Introduced in House, Apr 26, 2023

This bill expands access to school libraries and literacy skills support for elementary and secondary school students. It also outlines certain constitutional rights and liability protections related to school libraries.

Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2028 (1) the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Program, which provides grants to ensure high-quality instruction and effective strategies in reading and writing for children through 12th grade; and (2) the Innovative Approaches to Literacy Program, which provides grants to support the development of literacy skills in low-income communities.

Additionally, the bill allows Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants to be used to assist local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools in recruiting, hiring, and retaining state-certified school librarians.

Read the full summary

Further, the bill authorizes states and LEAs to use Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants for programs and activities that promote the development of digital literacy and information literacy skills.

The Department of Education (ED) must direct the National Center for Education Statistics to biennially collect data on school libraries.

ED must require an assurance from each state and LEA receiving certain funds confirming that it will (1) protect the First Amendment rights of students in school libraries, and (2) provide equal protection in the conduct of school libraries in compliance with the requirements of the Fourteenth Amendment and nondiscrimination laws.

The bill also provides liability protection to teachers, school librarians, school leaders, paraprofessionals, and other staff for actions that conform with state or local policies regarding the right to read.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Roll calls

0 votes on this bill

No roll call votes have been held on this bill.

Amendments

0 offered

No amendments were offered to this bill.

Cosponsors

49

Who scored on this bill

6 points earned
  1. 1Raúl Grijalva D-AZ SponsorIntroduced, reached a cosponsor milestone2 events+6
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Other bills by Raúl Grijalva

History

  1. Apr 26, 2023Introduced in the House by Raúl Grijalva.
Show the full action history (2 actions)
  1. Apr 26, 2023Introduced in House
  2. Apr 26, 2023Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.