An Act regarding free expression
This bill establishes clear guidelines for school library materials in Massachusetts. It requires school staff to select materials based on educational value and age-appropriateness - not personal views - and sets a formal process for challenging removals: a public hearing must occur before a school committee can remove materials, only if they lack educational value or are inappropriate for students. Schools must create and post written policies following American Library Association standards, and staff cannot face disciplinary action for selections made in good faith. The bill directly affects school libraries, staff, students, and parents involved in material challenges.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2025
Committee Review
Jul 2026
Senate Passage
Jul 2026
House Passage
Jul 2026
Signed into Law
Aug 2026
Introduced Nov 13, 2025
Signed Aug 10, 2026
Floor votes · House Jun 10, 2026
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
21
Key actions
12
Committee
4
Amendments
6
Aug 10, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor, Chapter 189 of the Acts of 2026
executive
Jul 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
Enacted and laid before the Governor
upper
Jul 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
Enacted - 156 YEAS to 1 NAYS (See YEA and NAY No. 254 )
lower
Jul 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
House concurred in the Senate further amendment
lower
Jul 31, 2026
Committee
Referred to the committee on Bills in the Third Reading
lower
Jul 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred in the House amendment with a further amendment, see S3241
upper
Jun 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed to be engrossed - 153 YEAS to 3 NAYS (See YEA and NAY No. 211 )
lower
Jun 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Amendment 8 adopted
lower
Jun 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Amendment 6 adopted, as changed
lower
Jun 10, 2026
Amended
Amendment 4 rejected - 23 YEAS to 133 NAYS (See YEA and NAY No. 210 )
lower
Jun 10, 2026
Amended
Amendment 3 rejected - 2 YEAS to 154 NAYS (See YEA and NAY No. 209 )
lower
Jun 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read second, amended (as recommended by the committee on House Ways and Means)
lower
Jun 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting with the amendment pending
lower
Jun 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee recommended ought to pass with an amendment, striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting the text of H5489, and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling
lower
Nov 17, 2025
Committee
Read; and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
lower
Nov 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed to be engrossed -see Roll Call #104 (Yeas 35 to Nays 3)
upper
Nov 13, 2025
Introduced
Text of S2696, reprinted as amended
upper
0 primary · 21 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about S 2726
Scope: MA
Hi! I can help you understand S 2726. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline