Specifying that library user information exempted from disclosure...
Specifying that library user information exempted from disclosure in the right-to-know law includes information regarding library cards and library membership status.
HB376 aims to amend the right-to-know law by specifically exempting library user information, including details about library cards and membership status, from being disclosed. This bill was introduced to protect the privacy of library users by ensuring their borrowing habits and library affiliations remain private. It was sponsored by several Republican representatives, with Lisa Mazur as the primary sponsor.
If passed, this bill would affect anyone who uses public libraries, ensuring their personal data related to library usage remains confidential. It would help maintain the trust of library patrons by safeguarding their privacy. As of May 22, 2025, the bill was deemed inexpedient to legislate by the Senate, effectively ending its progress.
Key actions include its introduction in the House on January 8, 2025, passage through the House Judiciary Committee on February 10, 2025, and its introduction in the Senate on March 11, 2025. The bill faced a hearing in the Senate on May 15, 2025, but was ultimately voted down on May 20, 2025, by a unanimous Senate committee vote, marking the end of its legislative journey.