Books Save Lives Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8235 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8235 To require certain libraries to maintain a diverse collection of books, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 9, 2026 Ms. Pressley (for herself, Mr. Carson, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Evans of Pennsylvania, Mr. Frost, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Ms. Lee of Pennsylvania, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Ms. Norton, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, Mr. Quigley, Mrs. Ramirez, Ms. Randall, Ms. Simon, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Ms. Tlaib, Ms. Underwood, and Ms. Velazquez) introduced the following bill; which was 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 _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To require certain libraries to maintain a diverse collection of books, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Books Save Lives Act''. SEC. 2. ACCESS TO LIBRARIES AND DIVERSE BOOKS. (a) Access to School Libraries.--A covered school shall maintain a library that is staffed by a trained librarian. (b) Library Book Selection.--Each public library receiving Federal financial assistance and each library of a covered school shall maintain a diverse collection of books, including-- (1) books written or illustrated by an individual who is a member of an underrepresented community; and (2) books about an underrepresented community. (c) Civil Rights Enforcement.--Proof that the exclusion of books from a covered school or l