Major Publishers Sue Idaho Over Controversial Book Ban Law

The lawsuit challenges Idaho's HB 710, claiming it violates First Amendment rights and forces libraries to restrict access to classic and award-winning literature.

• Idaho's HB 710 prohibits minors from accessing books deemed 'harmful,' including those with sexual content, LGBTQ+ themes, or depictions of nudity.
• The law has led to the removal of classic titles like 'Slaughterhouse-Five,' 'The Bluest Eye,' and 'Game of Thrones' from public and school libraries.
• Major publishers, including Penguin Random House and HarperCollins, along with authors, parents, and library groups, filed the lawsuit on February 4, 2025.
• The lawsuit argues the law's vague definitions force libraries to self-censor, violate free speech protections, and unfairly lump all minors into one age category.
• Libraries have struggled to comply, with some converting to adult-only spaces or seeing significant declines in circulation and community access.

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