On Monday, November 17, Jackson County Circuit Judge J. Dale Youngs entered his summary judgment on Senate Bill 775 (2022). The Judge ruled in favor of MASL and MLA on all three counts, agreeing that Section 573.550 is unconstitutionally vague. Due to the permanent injunction, all books pulled because of Senate Bill 775 should be returned to the library and classroom collections.
Missouri school librarians welcome the court’s finding that the law was unconstitutionally vague and overbroad, which restores our ability to support student literacy without fear of arbitrary enforcement. This decision affirms our work to respect parental rights as they help their own children select diverse, appropriate books.
A heartfelt thank you to all the school and public librarians who testified—your willingness to share your experiences was critical.
Read more from the Missouri Independent by clicking here. The full press release from the ACLU may be viewed by clicking here.