TN Bill Rejecting Exemptions For Schools That Allow Obscene Materials Moves Forward

Image: Passage of HB1944 out of subcommittee secures a large round of applause from constituents in attendance at the meeting. Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov

The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –

A House Bill, sponsored by Representative Scott Cepicky (R-Culleoka-District 64), that aims to prohibit educational institutions from making materials that are considered “obscene” or “harmful to minors” available to students in schools passed the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee yesterday (March 2nd, 2022) and now moves on to the full House Criminal Justice Committee.

House Bill 1944 passed the subcommittee with a 7 to 3 vote in favor.

Republican Representatives voting in favor were Clay Doggett, Andrew Farmer, Bruce Griffey, Dan Howell, William Lamberth, Debra Moody and Jerry Sexton.

Representative Michael Curcio (R-Dickson-District 69) sided with the Democrats G.A. Hardaway and Bill Beck in voting NO.

No vote was recorded for Republican Representative Lowell Russell.

If amended, HB1944 has been recommended for passage and now moves on to the full Criminal Justice Committee. Read on for contact information for all the members of the Committee.

No amendments or information thereof are available upon publication of this article.

The passage of the bill on to the full Criminal Justice Committee secured a large round of applause from constituents in attendance at the meeting.

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HB1944, in summary, excludes local education agencies, public schools, and employees and private contractors of LEAs or public schools from the exception to certain obscenity offenses if the LEA, public school, employee, or private contractor possesses obscene material that is harmful to minors on public school premises; prohibits an LEA or public school from making obscene materials or materials harmful to minors available to students in the school libraries controlled by the LEA or public school.

Obscene materials are defined as those that include descriptions or representations of nudity, sexual activities, excessive violence, sadomasochistic abuse, and sexual excitement.

Materials are considered “harmful to minors” under the code if they “would be found by the average person applying contemporary community standards to appeal predominantly to the prurient, shameful, or morbid interests of minors; is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community as a whole with respect to what is suitable for minors; and taken as whole lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific values for minors. 

Last week, Country music artist John Rich spoke in favor of the bill, likening the obscene materials in schools to predators who groom children. 

“What’s the difference between a teacher, educator, or librarian putting one of these books…on the desk of a student or a guy in a white van pulling up at the edge of school when school lets out and saying come on around kids let me read you this book and show you these pictures. What’s the difference in those two scenarios? There is a difference by the way. They can run away from the guy in the white van,” Rich stated.

He also stated that he believes there is “bonafied grooming taking place in Tennessee schools.”

Note from the Tennessee Conservative:  Just a reminder that many good Conservative bills die in subcommittees and committees before they ever see the light of day on the House or Senate floor.

If you support this bill, contact the House Criminal Justice Committee members in advance of their meeting on March 9th, 2022. The contact information for the Republican members (who hold the super-majority vote) can be found below.

House Criminal Justice Committee – Republican Members:

Michael Curcio (chair) – rep.michael.curcio@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3513

Jerry Sexton (vice-chair) – rep.jerry.sexton@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2534

Scotty Campbell – rep.scotty.campbell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2050

Clay Doggett – rep.clay.doggett@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7476

Andrew Farmer – rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4419

Bruce Griffey – rep.bruce.griffey@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6804

David Hawk – rep.david.hawk@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7482

Dan Howell – rep.dan.howell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7799

Bud Hulsey – rep.bud.hulsey@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2886

William Lamberth – rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1980

Debra Moody – rep.debra.moody@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3774

Lowell Russell – rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3736

Paul Sherrell – rep.paul.sherrell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1963

The Senate version of the bill (SB1944) is sponsored by Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-District 28).  It has been passed on first and second consideration and referred to the Senate Education Committee but has not yet appeared on their calendar for debate.

About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative  ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career.  Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others.  He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History.  Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com