GOP bill proposes to make librarians criminally responsible for certain books

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https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/education/2025/02/21/house-oks-removing-defense-for-school-libraries-harmful-books/79343588007/

House passes bill removing defenses for school libraries distributing 'harmful' books

Thirty-eight Representatives voted Thursday afternoon to pass a bill removing defenses for schools, colleges, universities, museums and public libraries if they’re charged with disseminating material considered harmful to minors, which is a misdemeanor.

As the law stands now, any employee of a school, college, university, museum, or public library would be exempt from a charge. This bill would remove that protection, and make librarians or employees at those places personally liable if they were found to be acting outside the scope of their employment, House Bill 1239 sponsor Rep. Bethany Soye, R-Sioux Falls, said.

The 32 Representatives who opposed HB 1239 included Reps. Will Mortenson, R-Fort Pierre; Kevin Van Diepen, R-Huron; Chris Kassin, R-Vermillion; Drew Peterson, R-Salem; and Keri Weems, R-Sioux Falls, each of whom testified against the bill on the House floor on Thursday and shared concerns that HB 1239 would lead to criminalization of librarians.