The Idaho Senate passed the controversial House Bill No. 710 on Wednesday, a piece of legislation that plans to limit access to certain books deemed ‘harmful to minors’ in both school and public libraries. The passing of this contentious bill, named the Children’s School and Library Protection Act, could make libraries, and schools exposed to potential lawsuits based on objections to allegedly harmful books or other forms of media that may be available. The details of the bill have been covered extensively on Idaho’s legislature webpage.
According to the specifics of the bill, should library or school officials fail to remove or relocate material to an adults-only section within 60 days after receiving a complaint, it will then be left to a judge to rule whether the book in question is indeed harmful. If the judge decides in the affirmative, libraries and schools could be made liable to pay $250 in statutory damages, actual damages, and any legal fees associated.
Lance McGrath, the President of the Idaho Library Association, has publicly voiced his concerns and is facilitating efforts to request a veto from the state governor. McGrath emphasized his trepidation over the detrimental impact this legislation could have on Idaho’s libraries and their capacity to serve all members of their communities. The imposition of potentially hefty penalties and the usage of ambiguous definitions of harmful material could constrict information access and particularly adversely impact minors, who rely on libraries for multiple resources.
McGrath, however, was not the only voice to express reservations about the bill. Senator Mary Shea highlighted the bill as a major threat to Idaho’s libraries, noting that the bill could force library staff to steer valuable resources toward legal battles. Senator Rob Taylor also voiced his displeasure with the bill, calling for parents to take more responsibility in their children’s lives.
Now, the bill lies with Idaho Governor Brad Little awaiting approval. If approved, it will become the law in Idaho, marking a significant shift in public and school library policies. For the full coverage of the House Bill No. 710 and its potential implications, visit the original report.