SB 1136 - This act establishes provisions relating to the reconsideration of materials in a public library or public school library. The act defines "digital library material" as material including, but not limited to, digital audiobooks, electronic journals, electronic magazines, and other resources that are directly accessible through the public library or school library database, but excluding any online content that is available outside of the public library or school library database or platform. The act defines "library material" as any resource in print or non-print format, including, but not limited to, books, magazines, microfiche, microfilm, slides, exhibits, and other materials that are found in a public library or school library. The act defines "reconsideration" as a process in which library personnel, public schools, school districts, or library governing bodies review materials in a public library or school library due to a formal complaint filed by a member of the community. The outcome of this reconsideration may include relocating or removing library materials or removing or restricting access to digital library materials. All public libraries and public school libraries shall establish a policy outlining the process for reconsidering library materials and digital library materials based on a complaint from a member of the community. Such a policy shall be made publicly available as provided in the act. A public library or school library shall respond to a reconsideration request by removing library materials from its permanent collection, relocating library materials within its collection, or removing or restricting access to digital library materials within its collection only if such materials have been reviewed in accordance with an established policy for the reconsideration of library materials and digital library materials that complies the requirements of the act. To request reconsideration of library materials or digital library materials, the individual making the request shall sign an affidavit affirming that (a) the individual has read or consumed the entirety of the challenged material, and (b) the individual resides in the taxing district of the public library in which the request is made or the school district in which the request is made. Each public library or school library shall develop an appeals process for the reconsideration policy that outlines a process for appealing a decision made regarding the removal of library materials or digital library materials, as provided in the act. Digital library materials that undergo reconsideration shall be subject to removal or restricted access at the title, issue, and article level. Any third party contracted to provide databases that contain or provide access to digital library materials shall have the ability to curate those materials using a mechanism that allows for the removal or restriction of access to challenged content without disrupting access to the remainder of digital library materials accessible in the public library or school library. Curation of digital library materials shall not be applied at an individual user level, but rather at the library system or school district level. Digital library resources shall not track or monitor the access of library materials or digital library materials by individual users, especially minors, including any tracking or monitoring to personalize user experiences. An employee or volunteer of a public library or school library shall not be subject to termination, demotion, discipline, retaliation, or any other penalty for refusing to remove library materials or digital library materials before such materials have been reviewed in accordance with a policy that complies with the provisions of this act. This act is substantially similar to SB 159 (2025) and is similar to HCS/HB 3005 (2026) and HCS/HB 1146 (2025). OLIVIA SHANNON

2026 Regular Session

SB 1136 requires public libraries to adopt a public reconsideration policy for challenged materials, with a formal review, possible removal or restriction, and local appeals.

Second Read and Referred S Education Committee

Summary of SB 1136 (Missouri, 2026)

Purpose and intent

SB 1136 establishes a formal, statewide framework for reconsidering library materials in public libraries and public school libraries in response to formal community complaints. The measure sets forth definitions, procedures, and protections to govern how materials—both physical and digital—are challenged, reviewed, and, if warranted, restrained or relocated.

Key provisions and changes

Definitions

Digital library material: Items directly accessible through a library database or platform (e.g., digital audiobooks, e-books, electronic journals, streaming video, digital software), excluding content available outside the library platform.
Library material: Any print or non-print resource found in a public or school library (e.g., books, magazines, microfiche, films, CDs, software).
Reconsideration: The formal process triggered by a community member’s complaint, potentially resulting in relocation, removal, or restricted access to materials (physical or digital).

Policy requirement

All public libraries and school libraries must adopt a publicly available reconsideration policy, posted locally and on appropriate district or library websites.

Process and eligibility

A reconsideration decision may only occur after materials have been reviewed under the established policy.
Requesters must sign an affidavit affirming they have read or consumed the challenged material and that they reside in the relevant taxing district (public library) or school district.

Appeals

Each library system must create an appeals process payable to a final decision by a local elected official or group of officials.

Digital materials review and curation

Digital materials may be removed or access-restricted at the title, issue, or article level.
Third-party database providers must enable curation tools to remove or restrict challenged content without disrupting access to remaining digital materials, with curations applied at the library system or school district level (not at the individual user level).

Privacy protections

Digital libraries shall not track or monitor individual users’ access, including minors, or tailor experiences based on usage.

Protection for librarians and staff

Employees, contractors, or volunteers may not be penalized for refusing to remove materials before the mandated review process is completed.

Relationship to prior legislation

The act is substantially similar to SB 159 (2025) and related to HCS/HB 3005 (2026) and HCS/HB 1146 (2025).

Who is affected

Public libraries and public school libraries in Missouri, along with their governing bodies, district and municipal officials, librarians, media specialists, and library staff.

Community members who submit formal objections to library materials.

Digital content providers and third-party database vendors contracted by libraries or school systems.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Libraries must implement and publicly post a reconsideration policy.

Requests require a signed affidavit asserting residency and readership of the challenged material.

An appeals process must culminate in a final decision by local elected officials.

Digital content must be curated at the system/district level, not per individual user, with protections against tracking.

This summary presents SB 1136’s framework for handling challenges to library materials, emphasizing policy-driven reconsideration, privacy protections, and local oversight of final appeals.