Oklahoma Lawmakers Push School Library Obscenity Bill

School Library Obscenity Bill Advances Ahead of Legislative Session

A new bill targeting school library obscenity is drawing attention ahead of the upcoming legislative session. Representative Chris Banning has filed legislation that would prohibit public schools from purchasing library books deemed obscene under Oklahoma law.

Lawmakers return to the Capitol on February 2, and supporters of the bill say it is designed to protect children from sexually explicit material they believe does not belong in school libraries.

Defining Obscenity in Oklahoma School Libraries

The bill relies on Oklahoma’s legal definition of obscenity, which centers on whether material would be offensive to an “average person” based on contemporary community standards. Under the proposal, school districts would be barred from acquiring books containing sexual content that meets that definition.

Supporters argue the measure brings clarity and consistency to decisions that have increasingly fallen on teachers and librarians.

Opposition Warns of Censorship Concerns

Opponents of the school library obscenity bill say the language could lead to censorship and the removal of educational or literary works. Education groups warn that fear of violating the law could discourage schools from offering diverse reading materials altogether.

The proposal is expected to generate debate among lawmakers, parents, educators, and civil liberties groups once committee hearings begin.

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