FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2024
BOISE, IDAHO – The Children’s School and Library Protection Act is being challenged in federal court.
The law (H710), which went into effect on July 1, 2024, deals with the longstanding issue of school and library pornography by:
- Requiring libraries to take REASONABLE steps to restrict children’s access to pornographic material that meets the legal standard for obscenity under the modified Miller test
- Giving parents recourse to challenge pornographic material
- Providing libraries 60 days to review challenged material, respond to parental concerns, and relocate obscene material to a section that children cannot access
- Creating civil liability for libraries who continue allowing children to access to pornographic materials in violation of the law
Last year, Idaho Family Policy Center released a report identifying more than 55 public schools and community libraries statewide that make pornographic material available to minor children.
Idahoans want this law. More than 74% of likely Idaho voters believe that public schools and community libraries should keep pornographic materials away from minor children, according to our statewide public opinion polling.
A statement from Morgan MaGill, Communications Manager for Idaho Family Policy Center:
The Children’s School and Library Protection Act is common sense—simply requiring that schools and libraries take reasonable steps to restrict children’s access to materials that are obscene for minors.
The schools, churches, and parents who filed the legal challenge today should be embarrassed.
Most of their claims are baseless and easily refuted. As the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized, states have a compelling interest in protecting children from school and library materials that are obscene.
Children should never have unfettered access to pornographic materials in taxpayer funded schools and libraries. Schools and libraries who allow such access must be held accountable.
Media Contact:
For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact our Communications Manager Morgan MaGill at (208) 260-5844 or [email protected].
