ND weighs ban of ‘sexually explicit’ library books

Amid a national wave of attempted book banning on LGBTQ subject matter, a North Dakota House panel heard arguments on a bill that would prohibit “sexually explicit” content – including depictions of sexual or gender identity – from public libraries, and would criminalize librarians who continue to display it.

Supporters of the bill said the measure would preserve children’s innocence and reduce their exposure to pornography.

Opponents said the bill would allow government censorship of material that is not actually obscene. The committee did not immediately vote on the bill, which will enter the House floor for another vote later.

The bill would allow prosecutors to charge any person who displays these materials at places that children visit with a class B misdemeanor. The maximum penalty is 30 days of imprisonment and a $1,500 fine.