WV House Approves Bill That Could Jail Librarians

The New Republic reports:

The Republican-controlled West Virginia House of Delegates has passed a bill that could see librarians facing jail time. House Bill 4654 passed the chamber Friday by a vote of 85–12, along party lines.

The bill would remove criminal exemptions for schools, public libraries, and museums that distribute or display “obscene matter” to a minor, even if the minor’s parent or guardian is present.

Any employees of those institutions found guilty of giving minors obscene matter can face fines of up to $25,000, up to five years in prison, or both.

Read the full article. Photo: Del. Brandon Steele, sponsor.

Red state book bans, inexorably, are moving beyond the schools to public libraries: On party lines, “The Republican-controlled West Virginia House of Delegates has passed a bill that could see librarians facing jail time.”https://t.co/HCJQlU3bd9

— Ronald Brownstein (@RonBrownstein) February 20, 2024