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NY S01100

Bill

Status

Engrossed

5/20/2025

Primary Sponsor

Rachel May

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2025-2026 General Assembly

AI Summary

  • Requires free association, public, hospital, and Indian libraries receiving state funding to adopt policies ensuring library staff can curate collections, services, and programming consistent with New York's Human Rights Law and the Equal Rights Amendment

  • Libraries failing to comply with the new standards would lose state appropriations and be ineligible for tax levies from municipalities or districts

  • Known as the "Open Shelves Act," intended to protect librarians' professional ability to develop diverse collections serving all community members

  • Takes effect 30 days after becoming law

  • The Board of Regents is directed to establish these requirements as part of library service standards

Legislative Description

Ensures that library staff of free association, public, and hospital libraries, and with certain advice, Indian libraries, are able to develop collections, services, and programming that reflect the values and protections established under the human rights law and the equal rights amendment to the state constitution.

Last Action

REFERRED TO LIBRARIES

1/7/2026

Committee Referrals

Libraries1/7/2026
Libraries and Education Technology5/20/2025
Libraries1/8/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available