Hunter
03/09/23
The Iowa House passed a bill that if enacted would prohibit school libraries from including any books that contain sexual content, and would keep non-age-appropriate books off their shelves.
The Gazette reports teachers and librarians would be required to create a library program within the parameters of the bill. The program would be set up by the school librarian, working with students, teachers, administrator and other staff and would be regularly reviewed.
The measure passed mostly along party lines; three Republicans and all House Democrats voted no.
Parents who have tried to get books removed from school curriculums or libraries told lawmakers this session that there should be more processes in place to restrict books they see as obscene.
Republicans say the legislation is not aimed at banning books with LGBTQ characters; Democrats say the bill is unnecessary because there already are processes to review books in schools.