H.R. 8235 — Books Save Lives Act

This section requires each covered school to maintain a library staffed by a trained librarian. It further requires each public library receiving federal financial assistance and each library of a covered school to maintain a diverse collection of books, including (1) books written or illustrated by an individual who is a member of an underrepresented community and (2) books about an underrepresented community. It establishes that proof of the exclusion of such books having a disparate impact constitutes prima facie evidence of discrimination against a protected class in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or the Education Amendments of 1972, as applicable.

This section directs the Comptroller General of the United States to begin creating, not later than 180 days after enactment of this Act, a report on the effects of recent campaigns to ban books in public libraries and public schools on underrepresented communities.

This section defines terms for purposes of the Act, including "(1) covered book" as a book or item of educational media written by, illustrated by, or about an individual who is a member of an underrepresented community; "(2) covered school" as an elementary school or secondary school controlled or directed by a local educational agency receiving federal financial assistance; and "(4) underrepresented community" as a group sharing a common identity or characteristic protected from discrimination under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or Education Amendments of 1972 (e.g., racial or ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, religious minorities, or individuals with disabilities). It also applies the meanings of "elementary school," "local educational agency," and "secondary school" from section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).