H.B. 962 Summary

• Establishes a two-year school librarian pilot program administered by the Department of Education to provide funding for qualifying schools to hire librarians.

• Requires participating schools to have a library space meeting basic standards and to use funds exclusively for librarian salaries and benefits, supplementing rather than replacing existing resources.

• Schools must submit annual reports to the Department of Education detailing fund use and impact on library services.

• Department of Education shall submit an interim report to the legislature by 20 days before the 2026 regular session and a final report by 20 days before the 2027 regular session, with the program ending June 30, 2027.

• Appropriates funds from general revenues for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 for program establishment and administration.