Bills · HR 7247
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 7247Crime and Law Enforcement
Prison Libraries Act of 2026
INTRO JAN 27· LAST ACTION JAN 27
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
40
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it addresses a critical area of rehabilitation and education within the correctional system. If this bill becomes law, it would provide dedicated federal funding to support prison libraries, which are often underfunded or non-existent. This would create new opportunities for incarcerated individuals to learn, grow, and develop valuable skills while in prison, potentially leading to more productive lives upon release.
The real-world impact is that increased access to education and positive programming during incarceration has been shown to reduce the likelihood of individuals re-offending and returning to prison. This not only benefits the individuals themselves but also contributes to public safety and can reduce the long-term costs associated with re-incarceration. Without this bill, the availability and quality of prison library services would continue to rely solely on varied state and local budgets, potentially leading to fewer resources and missed opportunities for effective rehabilitation and successful community reintegration.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes a federal grant program, managed by the Attorney General, to fund the creation and enhancement of prison libraries in states and territories.
Creates a dedicated federal funding stream for a critical, often underfunded, aspect of inmate rehabilitation and education.
PROVISION 02
Specifies that grant funds can be used for a wide range of services, including education, job training, modern materials, library infrastructure, qualified staff, digital literacy, and computer/internet access.
Ensures the funds support comprehensive library services designed to foster skill development, educational opportunities, and successful reintegration for incarcerated individuals.
PROVISION 03
Prohibits grantees from charging incarcerated individuals any fees for access to books, e-books, audiobooks, computers, internet, printing, or educational/artistic supplies within the library.
Guarantees equitable access to library resources for all incarcerated individuals, regardless of their financial situation, maximizing the program's reach and impact.
PROVISION 04
Prioritizes grant applicants who follow library management standards, include post-secondary education curriculum, demonstrate a plan for measurable positive impact (like increasing literacy or job access), and ensure geographic diversity.
Directs funding to programs most likely to be effective and encourages high-quality, impactful library services across different regions and populations.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 40
D· Missouri
YRS IN OFFICE
21
BILLS LED
22
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 5%
DEM 39 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 27
Introduced in House
JAN 27
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 7247
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 27, 2026
Last actionJan 27, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 27, 2026
House BillHR 7247Crime and Law Enforcement
Prison Libraries Act of 2026
INTRODUCED JAN 27, 2026· LAST ACTION JAN 27, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
5 min
COSPONSORS
40
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
