Bill With Goal Of Keeping Obscene Materials Out Of Tennessee School Libraries Advances In House, Heads To Senate Floor
Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Kelly M. Jackson] –
This week, a bill that has an ultimate goal to keep material that meets the criminal code threshold for obscene out of Tennessee schools has advanced on both The House side as well as the Senate.
House Bill 0841, a bill being championed by Representative Susan Lynn (R-D57-Mount Juliet), has a goal of separating Tennessee K-12 students from materials that would by criminal statutory definition be considered obscene, are moving through the legislative process this session, but not without obstacles.
HB841 as introduced, removes the educational justification of a person possessing obscene material if the person is at a school building, bus, school campus, grounds, recreational area, athletic field, or other property owned, used, or operated by a local education agency. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 9.Â
The bill, as amended, would remove the educational exception the federal government enacted back in the 1960’s for materials that by legal definition are obscene, and protect anyone who houses, or distributes such materials from criminal consequences solely because it is in an educational setting.Â
Additionally, the amendment to the bill would put the burden on the publishers of books to not send materials that meet the Tennessee state law’s criminal definition of “obscene material”.Â
As of this week, the bill has passed all committees in the Senate and has passed the House Subcommittee process.
HB0841 is the revival of the failed attempt to build a wall between Tennessee school children and the obscene materials that in very recent years has made its way into school libraries all over the state.Â
HB841 is scheduled to be heard before the full House Criminal Justice Committee on 3/28/2023. If it passes that committee it will move to the House floor for debate and a vote.
Please contact the Representatives below and ask that they vote YES on HB0841. Find the contact information for your Senator HERE and ask them to vote YES on SB1059.
Rep. Bud Hulsey (R) rep.bud.hulsey@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-2886
Rep. John Gillespie (R) rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-8201
Rep. Scotty Campbell (R) rep.scotty.campbell@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-2050
Rep. Michele Carringer (R) rep.michele.carringer@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-1721
Rep. Elaine Davis (R) rep.elaine.davis@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-2287
Rep. Clay Doggett (R) rep.clay.doggett@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-7476
Rep. Andrew Farmer (R) rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-4419
Rep. Monty Fritts (R) rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-7658
Rep. Ronnie Glynn (D) rep.ronnie.glynn@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-2043
Rep. G.A. Hardaway (D) rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-5625
Rep. Dan Howell (R) rep.dan.howell@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-7799
Rep. Gloria Johnson (D) rep.gloria.johnson@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-2031
Rep. William Lamberth (R) rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-1980
Rep. Debra Moody (R) rep.debra.moody@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-3774
Rep. Lowell Russell (R) rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-3736
Rep. Paul Sherrell (R) rep.paul.sherrell@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-1963
Rep. Joe Towns, Jr. (D) rep.joe.towns@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-2189
About the Author: Kelly Jackson is a recent escapee from corporate America, and a California refugee to Tennessee. Christ follower, Wife and Mom of three amazing teenagers. She has a BA in Comm from Point Loma Nazarene University, and has a background in law enforcement and human resources. Since the summer of 2020, she has spent any and all free time in the trenches with local grassroots orgs, including Mom’s for Liberty Williamson County and Tennessee Stands as a core member. Outspoken advocate for parents rights, medical freedom, and individual liberty. Kelly can be reached at kelly@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
