North Carolina 2025 Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 19 D · 1 R cosponsors

HB 902 — Free to Learn - Library Bill of Rights Act.

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced April 10, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.

Prognosis

Advancing 42% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 20 sponsors

    3 primary, 17 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (19 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

81 added · 80 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent changes to House Bill 902 expanded its focus to include all libraries across North Carolina, emphasizing the responsibility of both public and regional library systems. Additionally, it now explicitly states that participating government units in interlocal agreements must collectively ensure compliance with the new regulations. This matters because it establishes clearer guidelines for libraries, ensuring they adhere to the same standards for both digital and physical resources, benefiting all library users.

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA H.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 H 1 HOUSE BILL 902 Short Title:
902 Apr 10, 2025 SESSION 2025 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK H D HOUSE BILL DRH40460-LRa-125C Short Title:
Representative von Haefen.
Representatives von Haefen, Morey, Dew, and Greenfield (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT ENACTING THE FREE TO LEARN – LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS ACT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THAT PURPOSE.
Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House April 14, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT ENACTING THE FREE TO LEARN – LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS ACT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THAT PURPOSE.
(a) The provisions of this Chapter apply to all libraries in this State.
*H902-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (a) The provisions of this Chapter apply to all libraries in this State.
*DRH40460-LRa-125C* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (b) This Chapterapplies to onlineservices, digitalresources, andinternet access provided by libraries, as well as to physical materials and in-person services.
(b) This Chapterapplies to onlineservices, digital resources, and internet access provided by libraries, as well as to physical materials and in-person services.
Page 2 DRH40460-LRa-125C General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (d) A library shall not implement or maintain systems that unnecessarily track or monitor a user's reading habits, browsing history, or intellectual pursuits when such information is personally identifiable.
Page 2 House Bill 902-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (d) A libraryshall not implement or maintain systems that unnecessarily track or monitor a user's reading habits, browsing history, or intellectual pursuits when such information is personally identifiable.
(c) Libraries shall post notice of the protections provided by this section in a conspicuous location accessible to all employees and volunteers.
(c) Libraries shall post notice of the protections provided bythis section in a conspicuous location accessible to all employees and volunteers.
(e) Libraries shall implement reasonable measures to protect the privacy of users of public access computers, including regular clearing of browser history, cookies, and cached DRH40460-LRa-125C Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 information;
(e) Libraries shall implement reasonable measures to protect the privacy of users of public access computers, including regular clearing of browser history, cookies, and cached House Bill 902-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 information;
If the matter remains Page 4 DRH40460-LRa-125C General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 unresolved after the State Library's review, the person may submit the complaint to the Attorney General for further review and possible enforcement action.
If the matter remains Page 4 House Bill 902-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 unresolved after the State Library's review, the person may submit the complaint to the Attorney General for further review and possible enforcement action.
(d) In an action brought by the Attorney General, the court may assess a civil penalty against any government entity, public official, or other person or entity that willfully violates this Chapter as follows:
(d) In an action brought by the Attorney General, the court may assess a civil penalty against any government entity, public official, or other person or entitythat willfullyviolates this Chapter as follows:
DRH40460-LRa-125C Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 If any provision of this Chapter, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this Chapter and the application of its provisions to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected." SECTION1.1.(b) Article3ofChapter125oftheGeneralStatutesreadsas rewritten:
House Bill 902-First Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 If any provision of this Chapter, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this Chapter and the application of its provisions to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected." SECTION1.1.(b) Article3ofChapter125oftheGeneralStatutesreadsas rewritten:
– A library established by the State;
– A library established bythe State;
"Libraryrecord" Thephrasedoesnotincludenonidentifyingmaterialthatmay be retained for the purpose of studying or evaluating the circulation of library materials in general.
"Libraryrecord"Thephrasedoesnotincludenonidentifyingmaterialthatmay be retained for the purpose of studying or evaluating the circulation of library materials in general.
(b) Exceptions.–Libraryrecordsmayonlybedisclosedinoneofthefollowinginstances:
(b) Exceptions.– Libraryrecordsmayonlybedisclosedinoneofthefollowinginstances:
"(11) To carry out duties relating to the implementation and enforcement of Chapter 125A of the General Statutes in cooperation with the Department of Justice and other pertinent units of State or local government." SECTION 1.1.(e) G.S.
"(11) To carryout duties relatingto the implementation and enforcement of Chapter 125A of the General Statutes in cooperation with the Department of Justice and other pertinent units of State or local government." SECTION 1.1.(e) G.S.
(2) To make recommendations to the governing bodyconcerning the construction and improvement of buildings and other structures for the library system;
(2) To make recommendations to the governingbodyconcerningthe construction and improvement of buildings and other structures for the library system;
(4) To appoint a chief librarian or director of library services and, with his advice, toappointotheremployeesofthelibrarysystem.
(4) To appoint a chief librarian or director of libraryservices and, with his advice, toappointotheremployeesofthelibrarysystem.
Ifsomeotherbodyorofficial Page 6 DRH40460-LRa-125C General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 is to appoint the chief librarian or director of library services, to advise that body or official concerning that appointment;
If someotherbodyorofficial Page 6 House Bill 902-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 is to appoint the chief librarian or director of library services, to advise that body or official concerning that appointment;
DRH40460-LRa-125C Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (4) StafftheLibraryRightsLegalResourceCentertodoallofthefollowingunder Chapter 125A of the General Statutes:
House Bill 902-First Edition Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (4) StafftheLibraryRights LegalResourceCentertodoallofthefollowingunder Chapter 125A of the General Statutes:
(b) Beginning October 1, 2026, the Attorney General shall submit an annual report on the implementation of Chapter 125A of the General Statutes, including the data collected under this section, and recommendations for legislative or policy changes to the Governor and the General Assembly.
(b) Beginning October 1, 2026, the AttorneyGeneral shall submit an annual report on the implementation of Chapter 125A of the General Statutes, including the data collected under this section, and recommendations for legislative or policy changes to the Governor and the General Assembly.
"(11) To enforce the provisions of Chapter 125A of the General Statutes and to provide legal guidance to libraries and the State Library in the implementation of the Free to Learn Library Bill of Rights Act as provided in Article 11 of this Chapter." SECTION 2.2.
"(11) To enforce the provisions of Chapter 125A of the General Statutes and to provide legal guidance to libraries and the State Libraryin the implementation of the Free to Learn Library Bill of Rights Act as provided in Article 11 of this Chapter." SECTION 2.2.
(1) Seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000) to establish and maintain the Library Rights Legal Resource Center, including an Assistant Attorney GeneraltoleadtheLibraryRightsDivision,otherlegalstaff,andsupportstaff.
(1) Seven hundred fiftythousand dollars ($750,000) to establish and maintain the Library Rights Legal Resource Center, including an Assistant Attorney GeneraltoleadtheLibraryRightsDivision,otherlegalstaff,andsupportstaff.
Page 8 DRH40460-LRa-125C General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 3.1.
Page 8 House Bill 902-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 3.1.
DRH40460-LRa-125C Page 9
House Bill 902-First Edition Page 9
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How this bill changes current law

9 changes Share ↗

Compared against the N.C. General Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill enacts a new chapter establishing the Free to Learn – Library Bill of Rights Act, which outlines rights related to library access and services in North Carolina.

  • Chapter 125A. Free to Learn – Library Bill of Rights. Article 1. General Provisions. § 125A-1. Short title. This Chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Free to Learn – Library Bill of Rights Act."

    Adds a new chapter titled Free to Learn – Library Bill of Rights Act.

  • § 125A-2. Purpose. The purpose of this Chapter is to establish and protect the rights of North Carolina residents to access information, preserve intellectual freedom, maintain privacy, and participate in library services without discrimination or undue restriction.

    Establishes the purpose of the new chapter related to library rights.

  • § 125A-3. Definitions. The following definitions apply in this Chapter: (1) City. – As defined in G.S. 160A-1. (2) Interlocal agreement. – An agreement between two or more governmental units to jointly provide library services pursuant to G.S. 160A-461.

    Defines key terms used in the new chapter.

  • § 125A-5. Interlocal agreements and regional systems. (a) When libraries operate under interlocal agreements pursuant to G.S. 160A-461 or as part of regional library systems established under G.S. 125-8, all participating governmental units shall share responsibility for ensuring compliance with this Chapter.

    Establishes provisions for interlocal agreements in the context of library services.

  • § 125A-6. Right to access information. (a) Every person has the right to access information and ideas through library materials regardless of content, approach, format, or viewpoint of the material.

    Establishes the right to access library materials without restriction based on content.

  • § 125A-7. Right to access. Every person has the right to fair access to library services, materials, and programs without discrimination based on age, race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, or viewpoint.

    Ensures equitable access to library services and materials.

  • § 125A-9. Right to privacy. (a) Every person has the right to privacy regarding their use of library materials and services, consistent with G.S. 125-19.

    Strengthens privacy protections for library users' records and activities.

  • § 125A-10. Protection from retaliation. (a) No library employee, volunteer, board member, or contractor shall be discharged, threatened, or otherwise discriminated against regarding compensation...because the person took... actions related to violations of this Chapter.

    Provides protections against retaliation for reporting violations of library rights.

  • § 125A-12. Library programs and events; conduct policies. (a) Every person has the right to access library programs, events, and activities offered by libraries consistent with the library's mission and resources.

    Affirms the right to access library programs without viewpoint discrimination.

Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

  2. Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  3. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 17 co-sponsors · 159 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (17)

Not signed on (159)

159 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 159 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

civil-rights education
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 902?
HB 902 is sponsored by Brian Turner (Democratic), James Roberson (Democratic), Renée A. Price (Democratic), Lindsey Prather (Democratic), Carolyn G. Logan (Democratic), Zack Hawkins (Democratic), Pricey Harrison (Democratic), Mike Colvin (Democratic), Tracy Clark (Democratic), Maria Cervania (Democratic), Becky Carney (Democratic), Deb Butler (Democratic), Laura Budd (Democratic), Gloristine Brown (Democratic), Mary Belk (Democratic), Julia Greenfield (Democratic), Aisha O. Dew (Democratic), Marcia Morey (Democratic), Julie von Haefen (Democratic), and Neal Jackson (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 902?
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced April 10, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track HB 902?
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