Haynes and Boone, LLP Media Law Practice Group Chair Laura Prather successfully represented a coalition of book vendors and public bookstores suing the state of Texas over House Bill 900, also known as the READER Act, which sought to require “school library vendors to rate all of their books and materials for appropriateness before selling them to schools based on the presence of sex depictions or references.” Judge Alan Albright ruled in favor of the coalition , preventing any further action from the state regarding book bans.
"Protecting our democracy from unconstitutional laws like HB 900, even if the goals behind them are well-intentioned, is critical to averting censorship and ensuring the public’s right to receive information and booksellers’ right to be free from compelled speech,” Laura said.
She continued, “The First Amendment protects all citizens from being compelled to speak against their will and ensures access to a variety of information. The injunction preserves these constitutional rights for all citizens.”
The decision received widespread media coverage. Learn more about the case in the articles below.
Haynes Boone Convinces Judge to Block Texas Book Ban – Law.com
Texas Seeks Stay of Federal Court Ruling Against School Book Ban – The Texas Lawbook
Federal Judge Bars Texas from Enforcing Book Rating Law - Texas Tribune
US District Judge Blocks Texas Book Ban Law - The Bookseller
Texas Censorship Law Is Blocked, One Day Before Implementation - Publishing Perspectives
Texas Book Rating Law Halted by Judge – Library Journal
Federal Judge Says Texas Cannot Enforce Book Censorship Law – The Daily Texan
Judge Issues Temporary Injunction Against Texas Book Ban – Legal Reader
Texas Judge Stops Removal of Banned Books in Llano Libraries – The Dallas Morning News
Judge to Enjoin Texas Book Ban Law - Publishers Lunch
Judge Blocks Texas Book Ban Law - Publishers Weekly
Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks New Texas Book-Rating Law for Schools - San Antonio Express
Judge Halts Enforcement of Texas Book-Rating Law - ICv2
Federal Judge Enjoins Texas Reader Act – Book Riot
Judge Blocks Texas Book Ban Law – Book Browse
