Republican lawmakers’ efforts to protect children from books and material they view as obscene would extend beyond schools to all public libraries under a proposal advanced Monday.
Iowa House File 274 would repeal a section of Iowa Code that states nothing in the state’s obscenity laws prohibits the use of appropriate materials for educational purposes in accredited schools, public libraries, or educational programs for minors.
The Iowa Code section also does not prohibit the attendance of minors at an exhibition or display of art works or the use of any materials in any public library.
Iowa Code defines obscenity as: “any material depicting or describing the genitals, sex acts, masturbation, excretory functions or sadomasochistic abuse which the average person, taking the material as a whole and applying contemporary community standards with respect to what is suitable material for minors, would find appeals to the prurient interest and is patently offensive; and the material, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, scientific, political or artistic value.”
Supporters of the legislation argued the exemptions allow minors access to inappropriate, sexually explicit material at public libraries, and that the bill is needed to restrict children’s exposure to obscene content.
By repealing the obscenity exemptions, they argued Iowans can ensure that educational and public spaces remain safe and appropriate for all students.
Opponents, however, contend Iowa law already codifies and adheres to the legal test established by the U.S. Supreme Court in Miller v. California (1973) for determining whether expression constitutes obscenity.
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Iowa House File 274 would repeal a section of Iowa Code that states nothing in the state’s obscenity laws prohibits the use of appropriate materials for educational purposes in accredited schools, public libraries, or educational programs for minors.
The Iowa Code section also does not prohibit the attendance of minors at an exhibition or display of art works or the use of any materials in any public library.
Iowa Code defines obscenity as: “any material depicting or describing the genitals, sex acts, masturbation, excretory functions or sadomasochistic abuse which the average person, taking the material as a whole and applying contemporary community standards with respect to what is suitable material for minors, would find appeals to the prurient interest and is patently offensive; and the material, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, scientific, political or artistic value.”
Supporters of the legislation argued the exemptions allow minors access to inappropriate, sexually explicit material at public libraries, and that the bill is needed to restrict children’s exposure to obscene content.
By repealing the obscenity exemptions, they argued Iowans can ensure that educational and public spaces remain safe and appropriate for all students.
Opponents, however, contend Iowa law already codifies and adheres to the legal test established by the U.S. Supreme Court in Miller v. California (1973) for determining whether expression constitutes obscenity.
Bill advances to remove Iowa obscenity law exemptions for libraries, schools
Republican lawmakers’ efforts to protect children from books and material they view as obscene would extend beyond schools to all public libraries under a proposal advanced Monday. Opponents say Iowa law already includes a test that determines whether books and other materials are obscene.
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