Open Books, Open Doors Act

This bill would create a competitive grant program run by the Secretary of Education to promote child literacy. At least 70 percent of the money would go to groups serving "book deserts" (areas with limited access to books) that work with places like barbershops, laundromats, clinics, and childcare centers, and 15 percent would go to early screening and support for children with learning disabilities such as dyslexia. Grant money could be used to buy and distribute books, set up neighborhood or mobile libraries, waive library late fees, train educators and parents, and provide meals or transportation. Grantees would generally have to provide a 25 percent match from non-federal sources. The bill would also create an interagency working group and a Federal Clearinghouse on Book Access, and it authorizes $100 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2031.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Andy Kim Democrat sponsor
• 0 cosponsors