April 16, 2026
Mr. Cleaver introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
To require an independent review process for the prohibition of books at Bureau of Prisons facilities, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Rehabilitation Through Reading Act of 2026
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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.