HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1589        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Jay D. Livingstone

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to protect library patron privacy.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1589        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act to protect library patron privacy.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 7 of chapter 78 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking the third sentence.

SECTION 2. Said chapter 78 is hereby amended by inserting after section 7 the following section:-

Section 7A.

That part of the records of a public library which reveals the identity and intellectual pursuits of a person using such library shall not be a public record as defined by clause Twenty-sixth of section seven of chapter four. Access to such part of such library records shall be granted only with a warrant issued pursuant to chapter 276 or under exigent circumstances.