WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

A 4120

Relates to protections for renters using certain housing subsidies or public assistance

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Burdick and 3 co-sponsors

Prohibits banning or restricting access to books and library resources and requires adoption of the Library Bill of Rights or equivalent, with state aid forfeiture for noncomplianc

REFERRED TO HOUSING
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 4120

Summary of Assembly Bill A 4120 (Introduced April 4, 2024)

Note on discrepancy: The bill’s title indicates protections for renters using housing subsidies/public assistance, and the status shows referral to Housing. However, the introduced text and the accompanying statement describe provisions relating to banning or restricting access to books in libraries and schools, and the withholding of state aid for noncompliance. The summary below focuses on the bill’s substantive provisions as presented in the introduced version.

Overview

  • Purpose (as drafted): Prohibit the banning or restricting of access to books or library resources due to partisan or doctrinal disapproval in public libraries and to require adherence to the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights (or an equivalent policy). It also authorizes the withholding of state aid from libraries or school districts that fail to comply.
  • Status: Referred to Housing (per the record), with introduced text concentrating on library access protections. Companion and related bills exist (A 9556; S 1130).

What the bill would do

  • Prohibit banning or restricting access to books/resources in:
    • Free county public libraries
    • Free regional public libraries
    • Free municipal public libraries
    • Joint free public libraries
    • School district libraries
  • Require governing bodies to adopt either:
    • The American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, or
    • An equivalent policy prohibiting banning/restricting access due to partisan/doctrinal disapproval.
  • Clarify that libraries/school districts are not required to purchase every title, but must comply with the access protections.
  • Empower state enforcement via withholding of state aid for noncompliance:
    • Department of the Treasury can withhold state library aid from libraries that fail to comply with the bill’s provisions or related statutory requirements.
    • Commissioner of Education can withhold state aid to school districts for noncompliance with school-library provisions.

Key provisions (highlights)

  • Amends N.J.S.18A:74-12 to extend the withhold‑aid mechanism to libraries that ban/restrict access or fail to adopt the required policies.
  • Defines terms for different library types (free county, free regional, free municipal, joint free public libraries) and their governing bodies.
  • For school districts, adds authority to withhold state aid under relevant education-funding statutes if the district does not comply with subsections a and b (ban/restrict access and policy adoption).
  • Effective immediately.

Who would be affected

  • Public library systems (county, regional, municipal) and joint library entities.
  • School districts’ boards of education.
  • Potentially municipalities and counties through state library aid sanctions.
  • State agencies: Department of the Treasury and the Commissioner of Education (enforcement).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Immediate effective date upon enactment.
  • Enforcement mechanisms tied to annual or ongoing state aid distributions (withholding possible for noncompliance).

Related considerations

  • Related and companion bills (A 9556; S 1130) suggest broader discussions or parallel measures in other chambers.
  • Sponsor listed: Michaelle C. Solages (primary).

If you would like, I can compare this bill’s provisions to current library-access laws or draft a concise one-page briefing for policymakers.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.