Legis Daily

Books Save Lives Act

USA119th CongressHR-8235| House 
| Updated: 4/9/2026
Ayanna Pressley

Ayanna Pressley

Democratic Representative

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (18)
Dwight Evans (Democratic)Jonathan L. Jackson (Democratic)Maxwell Frost (Democratic)Delia C. Ramirez (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Lateefah Simon (Democratic)Mike Quigley (Democratic)Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democratic)Summer L. Lee (Democratic)Nydia M. Velázquez (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Rick Larsen (Democratic)Bennie G. Thompson (Democratic)Emily Randall (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Lauren Underwood (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee, Education and Workforce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the "Books Save Lives Act," aims to ensure access to diverse literature in educational and public settings. It mandates that covered schools , defined as elementary or secondary schools receiving federal financial assistance, must maintain a library staffed by a trained librarian. Furthermore, public libraries receiving Federal financial assistance and these covered school libraries are required to maintain a diverse collection of books . This diverse collection specifically includes books written or illustrated by, or about, individuals from underrepresented communities , encompassing racial or ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, religious minority groups, and people with disabilities. The legislation establishes that if the exclusion of such "covered books" from these libraries has a disparate impact on these communities, it shall constitute prima facie evidence of discrimination under various civil rights laws. Additionally, the bill directs the Comptroller General to create a report on the effects of recent book ban campaigns on underrepresented communities within 180 days of enactment.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-6830
Books Save Lives Act
Apr 9, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 9, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-6830
    Books Save Lives Act


  • April 9, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 9, 2026
    Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Arts, Culture, Religion

Books Save Lives Act

USA119th CongressHR-8235| House 
| Updated: 4/9/2026
This bill, titled the "Books Save Lives Act," aims to ensure access to diverse literature in educational and public settings. It mandates that covered schools , defined as elementary or secondary schools receiving federal financial assistance, must maintain a library staffed by a trained librarian. Furthermore, public libraries receiving Federal financial assistance and these covered school libraries are required to maintain a diverse collection of books . This diverse collection specifically includes books written or illustrated by, or about, individuals from underrepresented communities , encompassing racial or ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, religious minority groups, and people with disabilities. The legislation establishes that if the exclusion of such "covered books" from these libraries has a disparate impact on these communities, it shall constitute prima facie evidence of discrimination under various civil rights laws. Additionally, the bill directs the Comptroller General to create a report on the effects of recent book ban campaigns on underrepresented communities within 180 days of enactment.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-6830
Books Save Lives Act
Apr 9, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 9, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-6830
    Books Save Lives Act


  • April 9, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 9, 2026
    Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Ayanna Pressley

Ayanna Pressley

Democratic Representative

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (18)
Dwight Evans (Democratic)Jonathan L. Jackson (Democratic)Maxwell Frost (Democratic)Delia C. Ramirez (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Lateefah Simon (Democratic)Mike Quigley (Democratic)Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democratic)Summer L. Lee (Democratic)Nydia M. Velázquez (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Rick Larsen (Democratic)Bennie G. Thompson (Democratic)Emily Randall (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Lauren Underwood (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee, Education and Workforce Committee

Arts, Culture, Religion

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted