On Monday, February 9, Senator Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks) introduced Senate Bill 238, “An Act relating to access to library material; and relating to affirmative defenses to the offenses of enticement of a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and distribution of indecent material to minors.” SB 238 has been referred to the Senate Education Committee.
SB 238 provides affirmative defense to employees and officials of museums, schools, and public libraries who stand accused of enticement of a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, or distribution of indecent material minors. The bill grants that “an employee of a public library is immune from civil and criminal liability arising from good faith actions performed under this section [referring to Sec. 14.56.450: Public Library Material Policy].”
The bill restricts library governing bodies from removing books based on objections to depiction of race, gender, sexuality, or religious or political views and also prohibits libraries from “requir[ing] parental permission for a minor to access library material.”
Sen. Kawasaki represents constituents in Fairbanks. The Fairbanks School Board recently rejected attempts by citizens and board members to protect children from pornographic and indecent literature. Despite their graphic depictions of R-rated intimacy, several books were allowed to remain available to students with Board President Bobby Burgess highlighting the books’ “valuable lessons” related to sexual fulfillment and systemic violence. Some Alaskans find these lessons odd to prioritize while the majority of Fairbanks students are failing to reach proficiency levels in Math, English, and Science.
If Sen. Kawasaki’s bill passes, residents with concerns about indecent library material will have little to no course of action to protect their children from ideas and images that have real potential to damage young minds.
