,,ii #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #ccfe ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,december #d1 #bjbe,mr4 ,reed 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,schatz1 ,ms4 ,hirono1 ,mr4 ,durbin1 ,mr4 ,king1 ,mr4 ,whitehouse1 and ,mr4 ,wyden7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to ensure that students in schools have a right to read1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,right to ,read ,act of #bjbe4 #b4 ,definitions ,section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#ai7 through 7#bh71 paragraphs 7#bi7 through 7#dc71 paragraphs 7#dd7 through 7#di71 and paragraphs 7#ej7 through 7#eb7 as paragraphs 7#bj7 through 7#bi71 paragraphs 7#ca7 through 7#de71 paragraphs 7#dg7 through 7#eb71 and paragraphs 7#ed7 through 7#ef71 respectively2 7#b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#ah7 the following3 7#ai7 ,effective school library ,the term effective school library means a library that-- 7,a7 is staffed by supporting staff and at least one full-time ,state-certified school librarian who-- 7i7 is an instructional leader1 information specialist1 and teacher2 7ii7 supports the digital learning environment and the development of participatory learning1 inquiry learning1 digital literacy1 and information literacy2 and 7iii7 supports1 supplements1 and elevates the literacy experience through guidance in reading for learning and motivational reading initiatives in order to enhance student achievement and foster lifelong reading and learning2 7,b7 is otherwise adequately staffed to be open to students before1 during1 and after the school day2 7,c7 has a sufficient collection of professionally curated up-to-date digital and print materials and technology1 including openly licensed educational resources2 7,d7 provides appropriate facilities for maintaining and providing equitable access to materials1 technology1 connectivity1 and library and literacy instruction2 7,e7 provides regular skills development or training for classroom teachers1 school librarians1 library paraprofessional staff1 and other educators2 7,f7 provides opportunities for collaboration between classroom teachers and school librarians2 and 7,g7 implements nationally recognized professional standards of practice4 2 7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#bi71 as redesignated by paragraph 7#a71 the following3 7#cj7 ,information literacy ,the term information literacy means the set of skills needed to find1 retrieve1 understand1 evaluate1 analyze1 and effectively use information 7which encompasses spoken and broadcast words and videos1 printed materials1 and digital content1 data1 and images74 2 7#d7 by inserting after paragraph 7#de71 as redesignated by paragraph 7#a71 the following3 7#df7 ,right to read ,the term right to read means all students have access to-- 7,a7 linguistically and developmentally appropriate1 evidence-based reading instruction2 7,b7 effective school libraries2 7,c7 family literacy support2 7,d7 culturally diverse and inclusive materials2 7,e7 reading materials in the home2 and 7,f7 the freedom to choose reading materials4 2 and 7#e7 by inserting after paragraph 7#eb71 as redesignated by paragraph 7#a71 the following3 7#ec7 ,teacher ,the term teacher includes a school librarian4 4 #c4 ,amendments to title ,i 7a7 ,state plans ,section #aaaa of that ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #fcaa7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a77#d77;,a77ii77,i77aa71 by inserting 7including school librarians7 after teachers2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7g7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 by redesignating subparagraph 7,g7 as subparagraph 7,h72 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,f71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7iii7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,f7 the following3 7,g7 how the ,state will work to ensure that low-income students1 minority students1 students with disabilities1 and ,english learners are not disproportionally enrolled in schools that lack an effective school library1 and the measures the ,state educational agency will use to evaluate and publicly report the progress of the ,state educational agency with respect to ensuring such access to an effective school library2 and 2 and 7iv7 in subparagraph 7,h71 as redesignated by clause 7i71 by inserting 1 including the development of digital literacy and information literacy skills after academic standards2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,j71 by inserting 7including school librarians7 after teachers2 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,m71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7iii7 in subparagraph 7,n71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7iv7 by adding at the end the following3 7,o7 the ,state educational agency has a policy regarding the right to read and will notify local educational agencies1 ,indian tribes and tribal organizations1 schools1 teachers1 school librarians1 principals1 other school leaders1 specialized support personnel1 parents1 and the public of such policy4 4 7b7 ,local educational agency plans ,section #aaab of that ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #fcab7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a77#a77;,a71 by inserting 7including school librarians7 after teachers2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#ab77;,b71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7,b7 by striking paragraph 7#ac72 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#ac7 how the local educational agency will-- 7,a7 support and improve effective school libraries by supporting the work of ,state-certified school librarians to ensure that students have equitable access to such libraries2 and 7,b7 assist schools in developing effective school libraries to provide students an opportunity to develop digital literacy and information literacy skills and improve academic achievement2 7#ad7 the policies the local educational agency has in place to protect the right to read2 and 7#ae7 any other information on how the local educational agency proposes to use funds to meet the purposes of this part1 and that the local educational agency determines appropriate to provide1 which may include a description of how the local educational agency will assist schools in identifying and serving gifted and talented students4 4 #d4 ,amendments to title ,,ii 7a7 ,authorization of appropriations ,section #bjjc of that ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ffjc7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b71 by inserting except for subpart #b1 after part ,b12 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7c7 ,literacy education for all1 results for the nation ,there are authorized to be appropriated-- 7#a7 for grants authorized under section #bbbb1 #ejj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbf and each of the succeeding #d fiscal years2 and 7#b7 for grants authorized under section #bbbf1 #ajj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbf and each of the succeeding #d fiscal years4 4 7b7 ,formula grants to states ,section #baja of that ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ffaa7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7c77#d77;,b7-- 7,a7 by redesignating clauses 7xiv7 through 7xxi7 as clauses 7xvii7 through 7xxiv71 respectively2 7,b7 by striking clause 7xiii7 and inserting the following3 7xiii7 ,supporting and improving effective school libraries that involve collaboration with ,state-certified school librarians4 2 and 7,c7 by inserting after clause 7xiii7 the following3 7xiv7 ,developing1 improving1 and implementing mechanisms to assist local educational agencies and schools in effectively recruiting1 hiring1 and retaining ,state-certified school librarians4 7xv7 ,providing training to school librarians1 teachers1 and school leaders on how to leverage effective school libraries for academic achievement1 digital literacy1 information literacy1 and student and family engagement4 7xvi7 ,providing training to library paraprofessional and other library staff to improve the effectiveness of school library programs4 2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7d77#c77;,a71 by inserting 7including school librarians7 after teachers4 7c7 ,local uses of funds ,section #bajc7;b77#c7 of that ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ffac7;b77#c77 is amended by striking subparagraph 7,k7 and inserting the following3 7,k7 programs and activities to support and improve effective school libraries that involve collaboration with ,state-certified school librarians1 such as efforts to promote and support digital literacy1 information literacy1 extended student inquiry1 and capstone projects2 4 7d7 ,reservations ,section #bbja of that ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ffba7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking paragraph 7#b72 and 7#b7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#c7 and 7#d7 as paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c71 respectively4 7e7 ,learn purposes and definitions ,section #bbba7;b7 of that ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ffda7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,k71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,l71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7,m7 provides opportunities for students to develop digital literacy and information literacy skills4 2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b77;,c71 by inserting 1 public libraries1 or pediatric literacy programs after which may include early childhood education programs4 7f7 ,comprehensive literacy state development grants ,section #bbbb of that ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ffdb7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a71 by striking ,from the amounts reserved by the ,secretary under section #bbja7b7 and not reserved under subsection 7b71 and inserting ,from amounts appropriated to carry out this section2 7#b7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking reserved to carry out this subpart and inserting appropriated to carry out this section2 and 7,b7 in paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c71 by striking subpart and inserting section each place the term appears2 7#c7 in subsection 7d7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking and the ,state agency responsible for administering child care programs and inserting the ,state agency responsible for administering child care programs in the ,state1 and the ,state library administrative agency2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b77;,a71 by inserting 1 diverse high quality print materials1 and effective school libraries1 after teachers of literacy2 and 7#d7 in subsection 7f77#b7-- 7,a7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,b7 through 7,e7 as subparagraphs 7,c7 through 7,f71 respectively2 and 7,b7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,a7 the following3 7,b7 ,providing technical assistance to eligible entities in the development of effective school libraries1 which may include establishing a statewide office to coordinate technical assistance for such libraries4 4 7g7 ,subgrants to eligible entities in support of birth through kindergarten entry literacy ,section #bbbc7;a77#a7 of that ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ffdc7;a77#a77 is amended by inserting the ,state library administrative agency1 before and1 if applicable14 7h7 ,innovative approaches to literacy ,section #bbbf7;a7 of that ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ffdf7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking ,from amounts reserved under section #bbja7b7 and inserting ,from amounts appropriated to carry out this section2 7#b7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c7 as paragraphs 7#c7 and 7#d71 respectively2 and 7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#a7 the following3 7#b7 increasing the number of ,state-certified school librarians supporting students in high need schools2 4 7i7 ,technical amendments 7#a7 ,section #bbca7;a7 of that ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #fffa7;a77 is amended1 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a7 by striking section #bbja7c7 and inserting section #bbja7b74 7#b7 ,section #bbda of that ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ffga7 is amended1 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking section #bbja7d7 and inserting section #bbja7c74 #e4 ,amendments to title iv 7a7 ,state use of funds ,section #dajd7;b77#c77;,a77i7 of that ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #gaad7;b77#c77;,a77i77 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subclauses 7,,vi7 and 7,,vii7 as subclauses 7,,vii7 and 7,,viii71 respectively2 and 7#b7 by inserting after subclause 7,v7 the following3 7,,vi7 digital literacy and information literacy activities and programs1 including those provided through effective school libraries2 4 7b7 ,activities ,to support well-,rounded educational opportunities ,section #dajg7;a77#c7 of that ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #gaag7;a77#c77 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,i7 and 7,j7 as subparagraphs 7,j7 and 7,k71 respectively2 and 7#b7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,h7 the following3 7,i7 programs and activities the promote the development of digital literacy and information literacy skills1 including those provided through an effective school library2 4 #f4 ,data collection and reporting on school libraries 7a7 ,data collection ,the ,secretary of ,education shall direct the ,national ,center for ,education ,statistics to biennially collect data on elementary school and secondary school libraries4 7b7 ,elements ,the data collected biennially under subsection 7a7 shall include-- 7#a7 the number and percentage of elementary schools and secondary schools in each ,state that have dedicated school library facilities located on the grounds of the school and the square footage of each such library facility2 7#b7 the number and percentage of schools counted under paragraph 7#a7 that employ at least one full-time ,state-certified school librarian2 and 7#c7 with respect to each elementary and secondary school library-- 7,a7 the number of ,state-certified school librarians2 7,b7 the number of additional school library staff2 7,c7 the number and types of physical collections or assets2 7,d7 the number and types of virtual collections or databases the school library has access to2 7,e7 the number and types of student use devices managed by school library staff2 7,f7 the amount of time ,state-certified school librarians spend planning with teachers and instructing students2 7,g7 the amount of time ,state-certified school librarians spend planning with and providing professional development for teachers2 and 7,h7 other pertinent information that the ,secretary of ,education determines is important in order to support effective school libraries4 7c7 ,report to congress ,not later than one year after the date of enactment of this ,act and every two years thereafter1 the ,secretary of ,education shall submit to ,congress a report that includes the data collected under this section4 7d7 ,,esea terms ,in this section1 the terms elementary school and secondary school have the meanings given those terms in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7e7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year4 #g4 ,liability protections related to the right to read 7a7 ,in general ,section #heef of that ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #gidf7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsections 7b7 through 7e7 as subsections 7c7 through 7f71 respectively2 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7a7 the following3 7b7 ,liability protections related to the right ,to read ,no teacher1 school librarian1 school leader1 paraprofessional1 or other staff shall be liable for harm caused by an act or omission of such person if the actions were carried out in conformity with ,state or local policies regarding the right to read4 2 7#c7 in subsection 7a71 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking subsection 7b7 and inserting subsection 7c72 7#d7 in subsection 7c77#c71 as redesignated by paragraph 7#a71 by striking ,a ,state law that and inserting ,except with respect to subsection 7b71 a ,state law that2 and 7#e7 in subsection 7f71 as redesignated by paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking ,nothing in this section and inserting ,except with respect to subsection 7b71 nothing in this section2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking ,nothing in this subpart and inserting ,except with respect to subsection 7b71 nothing in this subpart4 7b7 ,preemption and election of state nonapplicability ,section #heee7;b7 of that ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #gide7;b77 is amended by striking ,this subpart shall not apply and inserting ,except for section #heef7;b71 this subpart shall not apply4 #h4 ,protecting constitutional rights in school libraries ,subpart #b of part ,f of title ,,viii of that ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #gija et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #hedi;,d4 ,protecting constitutional rights in school libraries ,the ,secretary shall require an assurance from each ,state and local educational agency receiving funds under this ,act confirming that the ,state or local educational agency-- 7#a7 will protect the ,first ,amendment rights of students in school libraries and will affirmatively further the right to receive information by-- 7,a7 providing access to a variety of reading materials2 7,b7 recognizing that public schools prepare individuals for participation as citizens2 7,c7 recognizing that school boards have important and discretionary functions2 7,d7 acknowledging that among a school board's functions is a role to play in determining the holdings of a school library2 7,e7 understanding the importance of ,first ,amendment protections in school libraries as centers for voluntary inquiry and the dissemination of information and ideas2 7,f7 understanding that school boards must exercise their discretionary authority in a manner that comports with ,first ,amendment protections and imperatives2 and 7,g7 understanding that the exercise of a school board's role in determining the holdings of a school library may not be done in a manner that is partisan1 political1 or otherwise aimed at prescribing particular schools of thought or opinion2 and 7#b7 will provide equal protection in the conduct of school libraries in compliance with the requirements of the ,fourteenth ,amendment and nondiscrimination laws4 4