school libraries
Arkansas governor signs law aimed at holding libraries accountable for ‘obscene’ material
The distribution of content by school and public libraries that community members consider “obscene” could lead to criminal liability for Arkansas librarians under a law Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Thursday. Senate Bill 81 adds the loaning of library materials to the statute governing the possession and distribution of obscene material. Arkansas’ definition of obscenity is […]
Arkansas House approves bill to hold libraries accountable for ‘obscene’ material
The Arkansas House approved a proposed law on Wednesday that would open the door to criminal liability for the distribution of “obscene” content by school and public libraries, despite bipartisan opposition. Seven Republicans joined the 18 House Democrats in voting against Senate Bill 81, including Rep. DeAnn Vaught (R-Horatio), who called the bill “government overreach.” […]
Arkansas committee approves amended bill to hold libraries accountable for ‘obscene’ material
A proposed Arkansas law that would open the door to criminal liability for the distribution of “obscene” content by school and public libraries passed a legislative panel and will go to the House floor after being amended. Senate Bill 81 would add the loaning of library materials to the statute governing the possession and distribution […]
Arkansas committee rejects proposed law to hold libraries accountable for ‘obscene’ material
An Arkansas legislative panel on Tuesday rejected a proposed law that would have opened the door to criminal liability for the distribution of “obscene” content by school and public libraries. The House Judiciary Committee voted down Senate Bill 81 with a voice vote after three hours of discussion and testimony. The bill’s sponsors, Sen. Dan […]
Arkansas Senate approves bill to hold libraries accountable for ‘obscene’ material
A bill that would open the door to criminal liability for the distribution of “obscene” content by school and public libraries passed the Arkansas Senate on a party-line vote Wednesday and will next be considered by the House. All six Senate Democrats voted against Senate Bill 81, and 27 Republicans voted for it while two […]
Proposed law to hold libraries accountable for ‘obscene’ material passes Arkansas committee
This story was updated at 7:29 p.m. on Feb. 20, 2023. An Arkansas Senate committee approved a bill Monday that would open the door to criminal liability for the distribution of “obscene” content by libraries. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to pass the bill after hearing testimony from only 16 of the […]