I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 6440 
To ensure that students in schools have a right to read, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 4, 2025 
Mrs. GRIJALVA (for herself, Mrs. BEATTY, Ms. BONAMICI, and Ms. LEE of 
Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Education and Workforce 
A BILL 
To ensure that students in schools have a right to read, 
and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Right to Read Act 
of 2025’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
Section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (19) through 
(28), paragraphs (29) through (43), paragraphs 
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(44) through (49), and paragraphs (50) through 
(52) as paragraphs (20) through (29), paragraphs 
(31) through (45), paragraphs (47) through (52), 
and paragraphs (54) through (56), respectively; 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (18) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(19) EFFECTIVE SCHOOL LIBRARY.—The term 
‘effective school library’ means a library that— 
‘‘(A) is staffed by supporting staff and at 
least one full-time State-certified school librar-
ian who— 
‘‘(i) is an instructional leader, infor-
mation specialist, and teacher; 
‘‘(ii) supports the digital learning en-
vironment 
and 
the 
development 
of 
participatory learning, inquiry learning, 
digital literacy, and information literacy; 
and 
‘‘(iii) supports, supplements, and ele-
vates the literacy experience through guid-
ance in reading for learning and motiva-
tional reading initiatives in order to en-
hance student achievement and foster life-
long reading and learning; 
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‘‘(B) is otherwise adequately staffed to be 
open to students before, during, and after the 
school day; 
‘‘(C) has a sufficient collection of profes-
sionally curated up-to-date digital and print 
materials and technology, including openly li-
censed educational resources; 
‘‘(D) provides appropriate facilities for 
maintaining and providing equitable access to 
materials, technology, connectivity, and library 
and literacy instruction; 
‘‘(E) provides regular skills development or 
training for classroom teachers, school librar-
ians, library paraprofessional staff, and other 
educators; 
‘‘(F) provides opportunities for collabora-
tion between classroom teachers and school li-
brarians; and 
‘‘(G) implements nationally recognized pro-
fessional standards of practice.’’; 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (29), as redes-
ignated by paragraph (1), the following: 
‘‘(30) INFORMATION LITERACY.—The term ‘in-
formation literacy’ means the set of skills needed to 
find, retrieve, understand, evaluate, analyze, and ef-
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fectively use information (which encompasses spoken 
and broadcast words and videos, printed materials, 
and digital content, data, and images).’’; 
(4) by inserting after paragraph (45), as redes-
ignated by paragraph (1), the following: 
‘‘(46) RIGHT
TO
READ.—The term ‘right to 
read’ means all students have access to— 
‘‘(A) linguistically and developmentally ap-
propriate, evidence-based reading instruction; 
‘‘(B) effective school libraries; 
‘‘(C) family literacy support; 
‘‘(D) culturally diverse and inclusive mate-
rials; 
‘‘(E) reading materials in the home; and 
‘‘(F) the freedom to choose reading mate-
rials.’’; and 
(5) by inserting after paragraph (52), as redes-
ignated by paragraph (1), the following: 
‘‘(53) TEACHER.—The term ‘teacher’ includes a 
school librarian.’’. 
SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO TITLE I. 
(a) STATE PLANS.—Section 1111 of that Act (20 
U.S.C. 6311) is amended— 
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(1) in subsection (a)(4)(A)(ii)(I)(aa), by insert-
ing ‘‘(including school librarians)’’ after ‘‘teachers’’; 
and 
(2) in subsection (g)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by redesignating subparagraph (G) 
as subparagraph (H); 
(ii) in subparagraph (F), by striking 
‘‘and’’ after the semicolon; 
(iii) by inserting after subparagraph 
(F) the following: 
‘‘(G) how the State will work to ensure 
that low-income students, minority students, 
students with disabilities, and English learners 
are not disproportionally enrolled in schools 
that lack an effective school library, and the 
measures the State educational agency will use 
to evaluate and publicly report the progress of 
the State educational agency with respect to en-
suring such access to an effective school library; 
and’’; and 
(iv) in subparagraph (H), as redesig-
nated by clause (i), by inserting ‘‘, includ-
ing the development of digital literacy and 
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information literacy skills’’ after ‘‘academic 
standards’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) in subparagraph (J), by inserting 
‘‘(including 
school 
librarians)’’ 
after 
‘‘teachers’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (M), by striking 
‘‘and’’ after the semicolon; 
(iii) in subparagraph (N), by striking 
the period at the end and inserting ‘‘; 
and’’; and 
(iv) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(O) the State educational agency has a 
policy regarding the right to read and will no-
tify local educational agencies, Indian tribes 
and tribal organizations, schools, teachers, 
school librarians, principals, other school lead-
ers, specialized support personnel, parents, and 
the public of such policy.’’. 
(b) LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY PLANS.—Section 
1112 of that Act (20 U.S.C. 6312) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1)(A), by inserting ‘‘(in-
cluding school librarians)’’ after ‘‘teachers’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
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(A) in paragraph (12)(B), by striking 
‘‘and’’ after the semicolon; 
(B) by striking paragraph (13); and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(13) how the local educational agency will— 
‘‘(A) support and improve effective school 
libraries by supporting the work of State-cer-
tified school librarians to ensure that students 
have equitable access to such libraries; and 
‘‘(B) assist schools in developing effective 
school libraries to provide students an oppor-
tunity to develop digital literacy and informa-
tion literacy skills and improve academic 
achievement; 
‘‘(14) the policies the local educational agency 
has in place to protect the right to read; and 
‘‘(15) any other information on how the local 
educational agency proposes to use funds to meet 
the purposes of this part, and that the local edu-
cational agency determines appropriate to provide, 
which may include a description of how the local 
educational agency will assist schools in identifying 
and serving gifted and talented students.’’. 
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SEC. 4. AMENDMENTS TO TITLE II. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 
2003 of that Act (20 U.S.C. 6603) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b), by inserting ‘‘except for 
subpart 2,’’ after ‘‘part B,’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) LITERACY EDUCATION FOR ALL, RESULTS FOR 
THE NATION.—There are authorized to be appropriated— 
‘‘(1) for grants authorized under section 2222, 
$500,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and each of the 
succeeding 4 fiscal years; and 
‘‘(2) for grants authorized under section 2226, 
$100,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and each of the 
succeeding 4 fiscal years.’’. 
(b) FORMULA GRANTS TO STATES.—Section 2101 of 
that Act (20 U.S.C. 6611) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)(4)(B)— 
(A) by redesignating clauses (xiv) through 
(xxi) as clauses (xvii) through (xxiv), respec-
tively; 
(B) by striking clause (xiii) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(xiii) Supporting and improving ef-
fective school libraries that involve collabo-
ration with State-certified school librar-
ians.’’; and 
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(C) by inserting after clause (xiii) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(xiv) Developing, improving, and im-
plementing mechanisms to assist local edu-
cational agencies and schools in effectively 
recruiting, hiring, and retaining State-cer-
tified school librarians. 
‘‘(xv) Providing training to school li-
brarians, teachers, and school leaders on 
how to leverage effective school libraries 
for academic achievement, digital literacy, 
information literacy, and student and fam-
ily engagement. 
‘‘(xvi) Providing training to library 
paraprofessional and other library staff to 
improve the effectiveness of school library 
programs.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (d)(3)(A), by inserting ‘‘(in-
cluding school librarians)’’ after ‘‘teachers’’. 
(c) LOCAL USES OF FUNDS.—Section 2103(b)(3) of 
that Act (20 U.S.C. 6613(b)(3)) is amended by striking 
subparagraph (K) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(K) programs and activities to support 
and improve effective school libraries that in-
volve collaboration with State-certified school li-
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brarians, such as efforts to promote and sup-
port digital literacy, information literacy, ex-
tended student inquiry, and capstone projects;’’. 
(d) RESERVATIONS.—Section 2201 of that Act (20 
U.S.C. 6621) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (2); and 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as 
paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively. 
(e) LEARN PURPOSES AND DEFINITIONS.—Section 
2221(b) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 6641(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (K), by striking 
‘‘and’’ after the semicolon; 
(B) in subparagraph (L), by striking the 
period at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(M) provides opportunities for students to 
develop digital literacy and information literacy 
skills.’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting ‘‘public li-
braries, or pediatric literacy programs’’ after ‘‘which 
may include early childhood education programs’’. 
(f) COMPREHENSIVE LITERACY STATE DEVELOP-
MENT GRANTS.—Section 2222 of that Act (20 U.S.C. 
6642) is amended— 
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(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘From the 
amounts reserved by the Secretary under section 
2201(2) and not reserved under subsection (b),’’ and 
inserting ‘‘From amounts appropriated to carry out 
this section’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘reserved to carry out this subpart’’ 
and inserting ‘‘appropriated to carry out this 
section’’; and 
(B) in paragraphs (2) and (3), by striking 
‘‘subpart’’ and inserting ‘‘section’’ each place 
the term appears; 
(3) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘and the 
State agency responsible for administering child 
care programs’’ and inserting ‘‘the State agency 
responsible for administering child care pro-
grams in the State, and the State library ad-
ministrative agency’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ‘‘, 
diverse high quality print materials, and effec-
tive school libraries,’’ after ‘‘teachers of lit-
eracy’’; and 
(4) in subsection (f)(2)— 
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(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) 
through (E) as subparagraphs (C) through (F), 
respectively; and 
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) 
the following: 
‘‘(B) Providing technical assistance to eli-
gible entities in the development of effective 
school libraries, which may include establishing 
a statewide office to coordinate technical assist-
ance for such libraries.’’. 
(g) SUBGRANTS TO ELIGIBLE ENTITIES IN SUPPORT 
OF
BIRTH
THROUGH
KINDERGARTEN
ENTRY
LIT-
ERACY.—Section 2223(a)(1) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 
6643(a)(1)) is amended by inserting ‘‘the State library ad-
ministrative agency,’’ before ‘‘and, if applicable,’’. 
(h) INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO LITERACY.—Sec-
tion 2226(a) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 6646(a)) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
striking ‘‘From amounts reserved under section 
2201(2)’’ and inserting ‘‘From amounts appro-
priated to carry out this section’’; 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as 
paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and 
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(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(2) increasing the number of State-certified 
school librarians supporting students in high need 
schools;’’. 
(i) TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 2231(a) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 
6661(a)) is amended, in the matter preceding para-
graph (1) by striking ‘‘section 2201(3)’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘section 2201(2)’’. 
(2) Section 2241 of that Act (20 U.S.C. 6671) 
is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘section 2201(4)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 
2201(3)’’. 
SEC. 5. AMENDMENTS TO TITLE IV. 
(a) 
STATE
USE
OF
FUNDS.—Section 
4104(b)(3)(A)(i) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 7114(b)(3)(A)(i)) 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subclauses (VI) and (VII) 
as subclauses (VII) and (VIII), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subclause (V) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(VI) digital literacy and infor-
mation literacy activities and pro-
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grams, 
including 
those 
provided 
through effective school libraries;’’. 
(b) ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT WELL-ROUNDED EDU-
CATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.—Section 4107(a)(3) of that 
Act (20 U.S.C. 7117(a)(3)) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (I) and (J) 
as subparagraphs (J) and (K), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (H) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(I) programs and activities the promote 
the development of digital literacy and informa-
tion literacy skills, including those provided 
through an effective school library;’’. 
SEC. 6. DATA COLLECTION AND REPORTING ON SCHOOL LI-
BRARIES. 
(a) DATA COLLECTION.—The Secretary of Education 
shall direct the National Center for Education Statistics 
to biennially collect data on elementary school and sec-
ondary school libraries. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The data collected biennially under 
subsection (a) shall include— 
(1) the number and percentage of elementary 
schools and secondary schools in each State that 
have dedicated school library facilities located on the 
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grounds of the school and the square footage of each 
such library facility; 
(2) the number and percentage of schools 
counted under paragraph (1) that employ at least 
one full-time State-certified school librarian; and 
(3) with respect to each elementary and sec-
ondary school library— 
(A) the number of State-certified school li-
brarians; 
(B) the number of additional school library 
staff; 
(C) the number and types of physical col-
lections or assets; 
(D) the number and types of virtual collec-
tions or databases the school library has access 
to; 
(E) the number and types of student use 
devices managed by school library staff; 
(F) the amount of time State-certified 
school librarians spend planning with teachers 
and instructing students; 
(G) the amount of time State-certified 
school librarians spend planning with and pro-
viding professional development for teachers; 
and 
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(H) other pertinent information that the 
Secretary of Education determines is important 
in order to support effective school libraries. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than one year 
after the date of enactment of this Act and every two years 
thereafter, the Secretary of Education shall submit to 
Congress a report that includes the data collected under 
this section. 
(d) ESEA TERMS.—In this section, the terms ‘‘ele-
mentary school’’ and ‘‘secondary school’’ have the mean-
ings given those terms in section 8101 of the Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). 
(e) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year. 
SEC. 7. LIABILITY PROTECTIONS RELATED TO THE RIGHT 
TO READ. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 8556 of that Act (20 
U.S.C. 7946) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (b) through (e) 
as subsections (c) through (f), respectively; 
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(b) LIABILITY PROTECTIONS RELATED
TO
THE 
RIGHT TO READ.—No teacher, school librarian, school 
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leader, paraprofessional, 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 read.’’; 
(3) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘subsection (b)’’ and in-
serting ‘‘subsection (c)’’; 
(4) in subsection (c)(3), as redesignated by 
paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘A State law that’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Except with respect to subsection (b), a 
State law that’’; and 
(5) in subsection (f), as redesignated by para-
graph (1)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘Nothing 
in this section’’ and inserting ‘‘Except with re-
spect to subsection (b), nothing in this section’’; 
and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘Nothing 
in this subpart’’ and inserting ‘‘Except with re-
spect to subsection (b), nothing in this sub-
part’’. 
(b) PREEMPTION AND ELECTION OF STATE NON-
APPLICABILITY.—Section 8555(b) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 
7945(b)) is amended by striking ‘‘This subpart shall not 
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