Arkansas bill could regulate, criminalize librarians who harbor ‘obscene’ materials

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

A bill advanced by the Arkansas Senate Judiciary Committee Monday could criminalize library employees who “distribute obscene materials,” and require schools to create a committee to review challenged books.

Contrary to state law, Senate Bill 81 would also allow parents to look at their children's book checkout history. Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, the bill’s sponsor, said he felt it was a common-sense measure.

“We don't let kids smoke we don't let kids drink, we don't let them drive,” he said. “This book seeks to add library material that's inappropriate to that list of things.”

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-02-20/arkansas-bill-could-regulate-criminalize-librarians-who-harbor-obscene-materials

Chris Hickey/KUAR News

A bill advanced by a legislative committee Monday could put criminal penalties on librarians in Arkansas who provide "obscene" materials.