Tennessee House Votes To Approve Bills That Would Keep Obscene Books Out Of School Libraries
Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The House voted to approve two bills yesterday that would keep obscene books out of school libraries. One goes next to the Senate Education Committee, while the other will head to Governor Bill Lee’s desk.
House Bill 0843 (HB0843) aims to speed up the review process of challenged books within school districts. Sponsored by Representative Susan Lynn (R-Mount Juliet-District 57), the bill passed 71 to 22 with the vote split along party lines.
It is now due to go over to the Senate, however the Senate Education Committee has not met since April 5th, so the bill will likely not progress further until the General Assembly reconvenes next year. Lynn appeared confident yesterday that it will pass a Senate vote when the time comes.
HB0843 sets a time limit of 60 days from when a complaint is filed about an obscene book found in a school library collection. If a school board has not voted on the book by that time, it will be removed and sent for review to the Tennessee Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission.
House Bill 0841 also passed along party lines 71 to 22. The second attempt to build a barrier between the school children of Tennessee and the increasingly inappropriate materials that, in recent years, have made their way into school libraries throughout the state, the bill removes the educational exception put in place by the federal government in the 1960’s for materials that are legal defined as obscene. That exception protects anyone who houses or distributes such materials from criminal consequences if in an educational setting.
With the passage of this bill, it will be illegal to possess material defined as obscene under state law in a school building, bus, school grounds, recreational area, athletic field and all other property owned, used or operated by an LEA.
The bill also makes it a Class E felony for book publishers, distributors, or sellers to “knowingly sell or distribute obscene matter to a public school serving any of the grades K-12.”
Having passed the Senate on April 10th, the bill will head to Governor Lee after being signed off on by both the House and Senate Speakers.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
It’s crazy that a Bill even has to be proposed and voted on for this vile and disgusting reading material in public schools. I pray this Bill will pass and eliminate pornography in schools.
I can’t believe this is even a discussion! I want to see the teacher’s who think that giving explicit materials to innocent CHILDREN is just fine and have them explain their sick reasoning to the parents.
Please list the books that are considered obscene.
Here is an article describing and naming some of these books. This is happening in public schools across the country.
https://www.cnsnews.com/commentary/anna-anderson/sexually-explicit-books-were-put-these-virginia-classrooms-parents-want
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The bills must include items on hand inside of the classroom.
What are the repercussions to staff and administration if they provide pornography?
Charges should include
Contributing
Fines
HR penaltive action.
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I really like the Missouri bill that demands a Class 3 charge as a sex offender on the state registry.
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