‘An Act Regarding Free Expression/S.2696’ Passes in the Senate!

In a victory for free speech, the Massachusetts Senate passed "An Act Regarding Free Expression/S.2696" this week on Thursday 11/13/25. The bill protects the right to access books across Massachusetts, safeguards librarians and educators from harassment for doing their jobs, and protects authors, creators, booksellers, and publishers from economic harm due to censorship.

This bill is now moving to the House. 

In response to growing attacks on the freedom to read across the country, including in Massachusetts, local organizations and national partners have formed the Mass Freedom to Read coalition, who have championed "An Act Regarding Free Expression," mobilizing readers, librarians, booksellers, authors, and publishers across the Bay State to speak up for the importance of free speech. 

In Massachusetts, challenges to library materials have more than doubled over the last three years, as documented by PEN America and the American Library Association, having an impact on librarians, students, educators, and authors. Massachusetts-based authors and illustrators have been further affected through bans of their books banned across the country since 2021. Massachusetts booksellers have faced harassment and intimidation at their events.

“Authors Against Book Bans Massachusetts is delighted that the bill known as 'An Act Regarding Free Expression' has passed the Senate. As a Massachusetts author of books for kids and teens whose books have been banned and challenged, it was heartening to be in the Senate gallery as Senator after Senator took the floor to support the importance of free expression, the role of diverse voices, and the urgent need for books and their creators to be protected under the law in the Commonwealth. It was clear from their speeches that they have heard the voices of their constituents—the authors, illustrators, librarians, educators, booksellers, and individuals who know that book bans hurt us all," said Dana Alison Levy, author and co-lead of Authors Against Book Bans Massachusetts.

"Candlewick Press is thrilled that the Senate not only passed the bill but also did so with amendments that significantly strengthened the protection for authors and illustrators when their books are challenged in Massachusetts," said Anne Irza-Leggat, Educational Marketing Manager at award-winning Massachusetts publisher Candlewick Press. 

"Establishing Massachusetts as a safe haven for the freedom to read is especially important in the face of ongoing censorship in public schools and libraries," said Kasey Meehan, Freedom to Read Program Director at PEN America. "We're glad the Massachusetts Senate passed this bill as a first step and hope to see it become law in the future, ensuring greater protections for students and authors facing book censorship in Massachusetts."

Coalition members now working to pass this vital legislation in the House include American Booksellers for Free Expression, Authors Against Book Bans Massachusetts, The Authors Guild, Beacon Press, Boston Comic Arts Foundation, Candlewick Press, Charlesbridge Publishing, Greater Boston PFLAG, Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth, Massachusetts Library Association, Nosy Crow, PEN America, Penguin Random House, Skinner House Books, and Wondermore.

New Update and Call To Action

We are excited to share the news that several senators have filed amendments that, if passed, will significantly strengthen the bill. The Mass Freedom to Read coalition has been working hard to push for three key improvements:

1. Limiting who can challenge books to those who live in the district served by a public library or have a student in the school: Amendments 1 and 5

2. Including book creators in those who can challenge a book ban: Amendments 4 and 18

3. Ensuring that the book must be considered as a whole, rather than a single excerpt: Amendment 6

CALL TO ACTION: Please contact your senator and urge them to strengthen the bill by voting for the improvements in Amendments 1, 4, 5, 6, and 18! This must be done before Wednesday, so the sooner the better!

You can see the full list of amendments here. You will notice there are nineteen in all: many are attempts to weaken the bill, and some are not material either way. Our focus is on passing the ones that will make the bill stronger. You can use the sample script below for a phone call or an email, and change it to explain why this issue is important to you personally.

We are getting closer to the finish line...let's keep going.

Sample Script

To: Your Senator (Find your state senator here)

Dear Senator [NAME], 

My name is [NAME] and I live in [LOCATION]. I am [writing/calling] to urge you to support three critical changes to strengthen the bill known as An Act Regarding Free Expression (S.2696) as it comes to a vote on the Senate floor on Thursday. As your constituent and an advocate for free expression, I feel strongly that this bill is vital to the Commonwealth continuing to lead the way in protecting our civil rights. I am asking you to vote in support of:

1. Limiting who can challenge books to those who live in the district served by a public library or have a student in the school: Amendments 1 and 5

2. Including book creators in those who can challenge a book ban: Amendments 4 and 18

3. Ensuring that the book must be considered as a whole, rather than a single excerpt: Amendment 6

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Your Name
Your Location (to show your residence)

Announcing Mass Freedom To Read

Mass Freedom to Read is a new coalition that represents Massachusetts parents and readers, authors and creators, libraries, booksellers, and publishers. We believe that freedom of expression, including the freedom to read, is a fundamental American right, protected by the First Amendment.

In the United States, we have the right to access books with a wide range of information and perspectives. We have the right to freely express our own ideas through speech, writing, and art.

In Massachusetts, challenges to library collections, programs, and displays have more than doubled in over the last three years. Massachusetts authors and creators have had their work banned or challenged in dozens of states, and in Massachusetts itself. Massachusetts booksellers have faced harassment and intimidation at their events.

Parents have the right to guide their own children's reading, but parents should not dictate what other people's children are allowed to read. In Massachusetts, with our deep and valued history of patriotism, we know that censorship is the opposite of a patriotic act.

Now is the time for the Massachusetts state legislature to pass a comprehensive Freedom to Read bill that protects librarians and educators from harassment for doing their jobs; and protects authors, creators, booksellers, and publishers from economic harm due to censorship. To that end, we support the passage of An Act Regarding Free Expression (H.3594/S.2328).

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