Rehabilitation Through Reading Act of 2026

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8325 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8325 To require an independent review process for the prohibition of books at Bureau of Prisons facilities, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 16, 2026 Mr. Cleaver introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To require an independent review process for the prohibition of books at Bureau of Prisons facilities, 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 ``Rehabilitation Through Reading Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of the Bureau of Prisons. (2) Professional librarian.--The term ``professional librarian'' means a librarian who has a master's degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association. SEC. 3. BANNED BOOKS IN PRISONS. (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall establish a Publication Review Committee for the purpose of approving or disapproving the availability of books at Bureau of Prisons facilities. (b) Members.--The Publication Review Committee shall consist of not fewer than 5 members, including the Ombudsman established under section 2 of the Federal Prison Oversight Act (Public Law 118-71), 1 individual who is a professional librarian employed by the Bureau of Prisons, 1 individual in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons, and 1 individual with knowledge or expertise in First Amendment law. (c) Procedures.-- (1) Prohibiting a book.--Following the date of the establishment of the Publication Review