Book banning in New Jersey schools and libraries will now be prohibited because of a bill recently signed by Gov. Murphy. "The Freedom to Read Act" provides standards for how school boards (and library boards) across the state of New Jersey will evaluate requests for removal of controversial and sensitive materials. According to the American Library Association, there were 14 attempts to restrict access to 28 book titles in New Jersey. The books are usually focused on LBGTQ and racial issues.

In enacting the protections, the Legislature declared that "The freedom to read is a human right constitutionally protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, and individuals have the right to free inquiry and right to form their own opinions." The legislation cites Tinker v. Des Moines Independent County School District, the 1969 United States Supreme Court decision, which holds that students do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” Three other states have adopted similar legislation.