Impact on Libraries
Though this is directed towards schools, it is another challenge to free speech and expression of ideas. The requirements of this bill would be onerous and would have the effect of censoring materials for students.
The bill requires “(2) Directly identifying books within libraries of the schools containing sexually explicit content that are used by or made available to students at schools in the school entity.” This is not an achievable standard for librarians as there is no way for one person to read every book in the library to make sure this content is there, nor is there a standard review source that identifies books as such.
The definitions used in the proposed bill are:
- “Sexual conduct.” Acts of masturbation, sexual intercourse, sexual bestiality or physical contact with a person’s clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks or, if the person is a female, breast.
- “Sexually explicit content.” The term shall include the following: (1) Materials that contain visual or visually implied depictions of sexual conduct or simulations of sexual conduct. (2) Materials that contain explicit and excessive written descriptions of sexual conduct. (3) Materials that contain visual depictions of nudity accessible to minors in kindergarten through grade eight.
Actions
- Referred to Senate Education Committee April 20, 2023
- Reported as amended, October 18, 2023 (PN 1174)
- First Consideration, October 18, 2023
- Second Consideration, October 23, 2023
- Re-referred to Senate Appropriations Committee, October 23, 2023
- Re-reported as committed, October 24, 2023
- Third consideration and final passage, October 24, 2023 (29-21)
- Referred to House Education Committee, October 25, 2023