5th Circuit Appeals Court Blocks Texas School Library Book Rating Law

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a Texas law requiring book publishers and sellers to provide content ratings for books is unconstitutional, citing a breach of the First Amendment protection against compelled speech. The law, titled “Restricting Explicit and Adult-Designated Educational Resources Act” (READER), was found to impose an impossibly onerous condition on businesses and violate federal law. The court's decision was celebrated by plaintiffs, including booksellers and publishers, as a victory for constitutionally protected speech and a safeguard against government interference in private citizens' decisions.