H.R. 8325

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8325 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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 Committee, the Director 
may only prohibit a book at Bureau of Prisons facilities if--
(A) the Director submits a request in writing to 
the Publication Review Committee to approve such 
prohibition, including a detailed explanation of the 
reason for prohibiting the book; and
(B) the Publication Review Committee approves such 
request.
(2) Appeal of a prohibited book.--An individual in the 
custody of the Bureau of Prisons may submit to the Publication 
Review Committee an appeal to reverse the prohibition of a book 
in Bureau of Prisons facilities.
(3) Determinations.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the 
date on which a request or appeal is submitted to the 
Publication Review Committee under paragraph (1) or 
(2), as applicable, the Publication Review Committee 
shall issue a final determination in writing approving 
or disapproving the availability of the book at Bureau 
of Prisons facilities in accordance with subparagraph 
(B).
(B) Reason for prohibiting a book.--
(i) In general.--A book may not be 
prohibited in order to eliminate a disfavored 
viewpoint or disfavored content.
(ii) Considerations.--In determining 
whether the prohibition of a book is based on a 
disfavored viewpoint or disfavored content, the 
Publication Review Committee shall determine 
whether the prohibition is substantially 
motivated by the viewpoint of the book, 
including if the book is deemed unpopular or 
repugnant, or otherwise violates the rights of 
incarcerated individuals to access information.
(C) Discretion.--Except as provided in subparagraph 
(B), a determination issued by the Publication Review 
Committee shall be at the discretion of the Publication 
Review Committee and shall not require approval from 
the Director.
(4) Maintaining access to a book.--If an appeal is filed 
under paragraph (2) prior to the removal of the book from any 
library of any Bureau of Prisons facility, the book shall not 
be removed until the Publication Review Committee has made a 
final determination regarding the appeal.

SEC. 4. ANNUAL REPORTING REQUIREMENT.

Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal year following 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit to the 
Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the 
Judiciary of the House of Representatives an annual report detailing 
any books that were prohibited during the preceding fiscal year, 
including a summary of each appeal filed pursuant to section 3(c)(2) 
and the status and final outcome, as applicable, of each appeal.
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