Libraries: policies and practices; public library freedom to read act; establish. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4251'25

HB 4250, the "Public Library Freedom to Read Act," requires Michigan public libraries (excluding school and district libraries) to adopt policies governing material selection and removal. It mandates that libraries establish clear standards for adding or removing books, DVDs, and other materials, and creates a formal process for residents to request reconsideration of materials. Crucially, the law prohibits libraries from removing materials based on an author’s protected characteristics (like race or religion) or the material’s viewpoint, allowing removal only if material is legally obscene or unprotected by the First Amendment. Libraries must adopt compliant policies within 90 days, and residents or the attorney general can seek court orders to enforce the law or restore removed materials. This directly affects public libraries and residents seeking to challenge library collections.