Highlights

Proposed Ohio Bill Would Charge Teachers, Librarians With Felonies for ‘Pandering Obscenity’

Source: https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/

A recent Republican-led bill introduced in the Ohio House proposes charging teachers and librarians with a felony for distributing material deemed “obscene.” However, the bill lacks clarity on what constitutes obscenity, raising concerns about its potential impact on educators and public school librarians.

Key Highlight:

– State Rep. Adam Mathews, R-Lebanon, introduced House Bill 556, which aims to criminalize certain actions related to obscenity for teachers and librarians.

– The bill defines a librarian as someone employed by a school district, public school, or chartered nonpublic school, including those working in a school district public library.

– Teachers and school district librarians would be prohibited from creating, reproducing, publishing, promoting, or advertising obscene material, as well as from directing or producing obscene performances.

– However, the bill lacks clarity on what constitutes obscenity, causing hesitation among teachers and library groups.

– The Ohio Education Association and Ohio Federation of Teachers express concerns about the bill’s vagueness and potential for misuse.

– Questions arise regarding the inclusion of “school district public libraries” and the bill’s impact on educational materials.

– The bill includes an affirmative defense for accused individuals who can prove the material or performance served legitimate purposes, with the term “educational” removed from the language.

 

Read More: https://ohio.childreninfobank.com/safebank/proposed-ohio-bill-would-charge-teachers-librarians-with-felonies-for-pandering-obscenity/

 

Image Source: https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/

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