The Road Ahead: Repealing and Replacing SB81 with HB1028

The Arkansas Right to Read Project is excited to announce our full support for HB1028, a proposed bill for the 2025 legislative session that aims to repeal and replace the unconstitutional SB81 with a thoughtful, forward-looking law designed to protect intellectual freedom in Arkansas. As we celebrate a critical victory in the fight against censorship with the recent court ruling striking down parts of Act 372, our focus now turns to legislative action to ensure that Arkansas libraries remain places of exploration, learning, and intellectual growth.

HB1028 (2025) would not only repeal the harmful provisions of SB81, it is an active step toward enshrining the right to read in Arkansas law. The proposed legislation will:

• Protect Library Staff and Trustees: HB10828 will repeal the law concerning defenses to obscenity standards, clarifying that employees, directors, or trustees of schools, museums, or public libraries will not be subjected to spurious prosecutions or allegations that they are disseminating materials claimed to be obscene while acting within the scope of their regular employment. This removes unnecessary legal risks for library professionals doing their jobs.

• Eliminate Censorship Mechanisms: HB1028 will repeal the current law establishing guidelines for the selection, relocation, and retention of library materials and the process for challenging library materials. These provisions of SB81 are tools for censorship.

• Support the Right to Read: Most importantly, HB1028 will replace SB81 with a positive new provision requiring public libraries to have a written policy explicitly prohibiting the banning of books or other materials due to partisan or doctrinal disapproval as a condition for receiving state funding. This forward-thinking requirement ensures that Arkansas libraries remain places where all voices and perspectives can be represented and accessed freely.

Why This Matters

SB81 and similar legislation have been wielded as tools of censorship, creating a chilling effect on libraries and restricting access to diverse and meaningful materials for Arkansas residents. HB1028 not only repeals these harmful provisions but also establishes a clear commitment to intellectual freedom and the right to read. By requiring public libraries to adopt anti-censorship policies, HB1028 ensures that libraries continue to serve as spaces for discovery, learning, and dialogue free from political or ideological interference.

How You Can Help

The success of HB1028 will depend on the support of Arkansans who value intellectual freedom and the vital role libraries play in our communities. Here’s how you can get involved:

• Advocate for HB1028: Contact your state legislators to express your support for this bill and share why it matters to you.
• Spread the Word: Share information about HB1028 with your friends, family, and community. Ideas for how to talk about these issues are here.
• Join the Arkansas Right to Read Project: Become part of our grassroots coalition to protect intellectual freedom and stop censorship in Arkansas.

HB1028 represents a critical step forward in the fight against censorship. Together, we can replace harmful policies with meaningful protections for intellectual freedom, ensuring that Arkansas libraries remain bastions of knowledge, exploration, and inclusivity for generations to come.

Let’s make HB1028 a reality and safeguard the freedom to read for every Arkansan.