Books Save Lives Act

Access to school libraries— A covered school shall maintain a library that is staffed by a trained librarian.

Library book selection— Each public library receiving Federal financial assistance and each library of a covered school shall maintain a diverse collection of books, including—

Civil rights enforcement— Proof that the exclusion of books from a covered school or library receiving Federal financial assistance has had a disparate impact on covered books shall constitute prima facie evidence of discrimination against a protected class in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.), or the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1651 et seq.), as appropriate.

Covered book— The term “covered book” means a book or an item of educational media written by, illustrated by, or about an individual who is a member of an underrepresented community.

Covered school— The term “covered school” means an elementary school or secondary school that is controlled or directed by a local educational agency receiving Federal financial assistance.

Elementary school, local educational agency, and secondary school— The terms “elementary school”, “local educational agency”, and “secondary school” have the meaning given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

Underrepresented community— The term “underrepresented community” means a group of individuals that share a common identity or characteristic, in cases in which discrimination based on such characteristic is prohibited by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.), or the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1651 et seq.), including a group of individuals who—