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 Bill Text - AB-1185 California Library Services, Equity in Opportunity Act.

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 |Add To My Favorites |Track Bill | Version: 02/21/25 - Introduced

 AB-1185 California Library Services, Equity in Opportunity Act.(2025-2026)

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 Date Published: 02/21/2025 09:00 PM

AB1185:v99#DOCUMENTBill Start

 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

 Assembly Bill

No. 1185

Introduced by Assembly Member Hart

February 21, 2025

 An act to amend Sections 18700, 18710, 18720, 18722, 18724, and 18726 of, and to repeal and add Sections 18701, 18702, and 18703 of, the Education Code, relating to libraries.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 1185, as introduced, Hart.
 California Library Services, Equity in Opportunity Act.

Existing law, the California Library Services Act, states the intent of the Legislature to provide all residents with the opportunity to obtain from their public libraries needed materials and informational services by facilitating access to the resources of all libraries in this state. The act establishes the California Library Services Board consisting of 13 members, appointed as provided, with the State Librarian as the chief executive officer of the state board. Under the act, the powers and duties of the state board include, among other things, the adoption of rules, regulations, and general policies for the implementation of the act, as provided.

This bill would rename the California Library Services Act as the California Library Services, Equity in Opportunity Act, and would revise and recast the act to, among other things, state the intent
 of the Legislature to create access to opportunity for all Californians at public libraries, as provided. The bill would rename the California Library Services Board as the California Library Services, Equity in Opportunity Board and would reduce the size of the board to 11 members, appointed as provided. The bill would prescribe the duties of the state board to instead be to, among other things, advise the State Librarian on the adoption of rules, regulations, and general policies for the implementation of the act, as provided. The bill would require the State Librarian to ensure staff support for the state board.

Digest Key

 Vote:
 MAJORITY 
 Appropriation:
 NO 
 Fiscal Committee:
 YES 
 Local Program:
 NO 

Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 Section 18700 of the Education Code is amended to read:

18700.

 This chapter shall be known as the California “California Library Services Act. Services, Equity in Opportunity Act.”

SEC. 2.

 Section 18701 of the Education Code is repealed.

18701.The Legislature finds and declares that it is in the interest of the people of the state to ensure that all people have free and convenient access to all library resources and services that might enrich their lives, regardless of where they live or of the tax base of their local government. This finding is based on the recognition that:

(a)The public library is a primary source of information, recreation, and education to persons of all ages, any location, or any economic circumstance.

(b)The expansion of knowledge and the increasing complexity of our society creates a need for materials and information that goes beyond the ability of any
 one library to provide.

(c)The public libraries of California are supported primarily by local taxes. The ability of local governments to provide adequate service is dependent on the taxable wealth of each local jurisdiction and varies widely throughout the state.

(d)Public libraries are unable to bear the greater costs of meeting the exceptional needs of many residents, including people with disabilities, non-English-speaking and limited-English-speaking persons, those who are confined to home or in an institution, and those who are economically disadvantaged.

(e)The effective sharing of resources and services among the libraries of California requires an ongoing commitment by the state to promote access to information in both print and digital format.

SEC. 3.

 Section 18701 is added to the Education Code, to read:

18701.

 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) The state’s local libraries should provide all Californians with equal and equitable access to the information and services, both digitally and in-person, that are necessary for personal and professional success.

(b) Cal