Legislators hear testimony on library obscenity bill

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — North Dakota lawmakers heard testimony on a bill aimed at removing media people might find obscene from public libraries and school districts.

SB 2307 requires material deemed harmful to minors to be put in a place where they cannot access it.

Any person found responsible for willfully displaying such material would be guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

Schools or libraries found to be in violation of the new bill could also potentially have state funds frozen until they comply.

The bill would also apply to digital or online databases used by libraries and school districts.

“There are several uncertainties in this bill that do raise some concerns and could have unintended consequences,” said North Dakota Library Association President Andrea Placher at Monday’s hearing. “Most libraries in North Dakota are smaller one-room buildings, making it nearly impossible – or prohibitively expensive – to implement these changes.”

Placher also warned libraries may have to stop employing teenagers due to the bill.

If the bill passes, North Dakota’s State Library would be exempt from complying with the new rules.