Bill · S. 4028· Senate(119-S-4028)
Open Books, Open Doors Act
- Introduced
- 3/9/2026
- Last activity
- 3/9/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Andy Kim
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The bill creates the Open Books, Open Doors Grant Program to expand access to developmentally-appropriate literacy materials and programs, especially in underserved communities. It authorizes $100,000,000 to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031. The Secretary of Education will award these competitive grants to qualified applicants to promote child literacy and family reading engagement. Grant recipients can use funds for activities such as purchasing reading materials, establishing new literacy centers, and implementing early screening tools for learning disabilities like dyslexia. The legislation also establishes a Federal Clearinghouse on Book Access to collect and evaluate evidence-based literacy strategies. Finally, the bill requires regular reporting to congressional committees on the demographic and academic impacts of the grants.
Yes· 3 of 29
Would children be better off under this?+9
The core purpose of the bill is to expand access to books and literacy programs for infants, children, and young adults.
Would students be better off under this?+9
Students across all participating grade levels receive enhanced access to books and reading support.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+8
The legislation heavily prioritizes book deserts and high-poverty areas to assist low-income families.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-3
The legislation introduces new federal grant spending and administrative costs.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-2
The bill authorizes $100,000,000 in annual appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2031.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Book Access in Underserved Communities: Under section 4(a)(2)(A), not less than 70 percent of grant funds are awarded to qualified applicants located within or serving communities within book deserts, collaborating with highly trafficked places like childcare centers, laundromats, and health clinics. This provision helps ensure that children and families living in areas with limited access to books receive reading materials and support.
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Support for Learning Disabilities: Under section 4(a)(2)(B), 15 percent of grant funds are awarded for early screening, early intervention, and educator training related to children with learning disabilities. This funding supports developmentally-appropriate and non-punitive programs that prioritize areas where the rate of reading disabilities or dyslexia is higher than the national average.
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Family Literacy and Economic Self-Sufficiency: Under section 3(4), family literacy services provide training for parents to act as primary teachers for their children while also offering parent literacy training that leads to economic self-sufficiency and financial literacy. This provision helps strengthen the educational connection within families and supports long-term economic success.
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Support for Local Economies and Community Organizations: Under section 4(b)(5), applicants must describe how they will partner with or procure qualified literacy materials through local businesses. Additionally, section 4(a)(2)(C)(i)(I) mandates that not less than 25 percent of a specific funding pool go to small entities, community-based organizations, or pilot programs serving 5,000 or fewer children. These provisions help support local businesses and smaller community organizations.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Financial Matching Burden on Grantees: Under section 4(e)(1), each qualified applicant that receives a grant must provide an amount equal to 25 percent of the grant from non-Federal sources to carry out activities. This matching requirement could place a financial burden on smaller non-profits or community organizations that struggle to raise non-Federal funds, even though the Secretary has the authority to waive the requirement under section 4(e)(2).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+9Good For Students+9Good For Low Income Households+8Good For People With Disabilities+7Good For Rural Residents+6Good For Young Adults+6Good For African Americans+5Good For Hispanic Americans+5Good For Immigrants+5Good For Native Americans+5Good For Urban Residents+5Good For Asian Americans+4Good For Women+4Good For Business Owners+3Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For White Americans+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+5Improves Poverty Reduction+5Improves Racial Equity+4
- Education And Technology
- Increases Public School Funding+7Improves Internet Access+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+5Improves Economic Growth+4Increases Job Creation+4Reduces Government Spending-3Reduces National Debt-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4Increases Federal Power+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+4Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+2
- 3/9/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Introduced in Senate