S. 3365 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Dec 4, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExpands school library funding and literacy programs
This bill strengthens reading instruction and school libraries for K-12 students. It extends funding through 2030 for programs that teach reading and writing skills, especially in lower-income areas, and lets schools use federal grants to hire and keep school librarians. Schools must also track how they're developing students' digital and information literacy skills.
How it affects you
Students, particularly those in lower-income communities, get better access to school libraries and stronger reading support. Teachers and librarians receive some legal protection when they follow their school's policies about what materials students can read. The bill also requires schools to confirm they're protecting students' First Amendment rights and following nondiscrimination laws in their libraries.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Dec 4, 2025)
Right to Read Act of 2025
This bill expands access to school libraries and literacy skills support for elementary and secondary school students. It also outlines certain constitutional rights and liability protections related to school libraries.
Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2030 (1) the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Program, which provides grants to ensure high-quality instruction and effective strategies in reading and writing for children through 12th grade; and (2) the Innovative Approaches to Literacy Program, which provides grants to support the development of literacy skills in low-income communities.
Additionally, the bill allows Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants to be used to assist local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools in recruiting, hiring, and retaining state-certified school librarians.
Further, the bill authorizes states and LEAs to use Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants for programs and activities that promote the development of digital literacy and information literacy skills.
The Department of Education (ED) must direct the National Center for Education Statistics to biennially collect data on school libraries.
ED must require an assurance from each state and LEA receiving certain funds confirming that it will (1) protect the First Amendment rights of students in school libraries, and (2) provide equal protection in the conduct of school libraries in compliance with the requirements of the Fourteenth Amendment and nondiscrimination laws.
The bill also provides liability protection to teachers, school librarians, school leaders, paraprofessionals, and other staff for actions that conform with state or local policies regarding the right to read.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 3365
A BILL
Right to Read Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) · Introduced Dec 4, 2025 · Education · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Dec 4, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S8513-8514)”
Sections
Sections · 8
- Sec. 1Short titleNo change
- Sec. 2DefinitionsNo change
- Sec. 3Amendments to title INo change
- Sec. 4Amendments to title IINo change
- Sec. 5Amendments to title ivNo change
- Sec. 6Data collection and reporting on school librariesNo change
- Sec. 7Liability protections related to the right to readNo change
- Sec. 8Protecting constitutional rights in school librariesNo change