The "Right to Read Act of 2025" seeks to establish and safeguard a student's fundamental **right to read** by strengthening school library resources and literacy instruction across the nation. It amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to integrate these principles into federal education policy. The bill defines an **"effective school library"** as one staffed by at least one full-time State-certified school librarian, adequately resourced with professionally curated digital and print materials, and providing facilities for equitable access and literacy instruction. It also outlines the **"right to read"** to include access to evidence-based reading instruction, effective school libraries, family literacy support, culturally diverse and inclusive materials, reading materials in the home, and the freedom to choose reading materials. To implement these goals, the legislation requires **State and local educational agencies** to include in their plans how they will ensure equitable access to effective school libraries, particularly for low-income students, minority students, students with disabilities, and English learners. These plans must also detail how they will protect the right to read and develop digital and information literacy skills. The act authorizes substantial **literacy education grants**, including $500 million for comprehensive literacy state development grants and $100 million for innovative approaches to literacy for fiscal year 2026 and subsequent years. These funds are intended to support and improve effective school libraries, recruit and retain State-certified school librarians, and provide training for educators on leveraging libraries for academic achievement and digital literacy. Furthermore, the bill mandates the **National Center for Education Statistics** to biennially collect data on elementary and secondary school libraries, including staffing levels, collection types, and librarian activities. This data will be reported to Congress to inform future policy and resource allocation. Crucially, the legislation provides **liability protections** for teachers, school librarians, school leaders, and other staff who act in conformity with State or local policies regarding the right to read. It also requires State and local educational agencies receiving ESEA funds to assure that they will **protect students' First Amendment rights** in school libraries. This includes ensuring access to a variety of reading materials and preventing partisan or political censorship, while also upholding the Fourteenth Amendment and nondiscrimination laws.