ND Senate passes bill on ‘sexually explicit’ library books

North Dakota’s Senate has passed a bill designed to keep libraries from allowing minors access to sexually explicit materials.

As originally introduced, it would have prohibited public libraries from even having explicit sexual material. But it was amended by the Judiciary Committee.

Republican Senator Janne Myrdal of Edinburg told the Senate that, as amended, the bill now passes what’s known as the “Miller Test,” based on a more than 50-year-old court case – and she said there are three points.

Quoting from House Bill 1205, Myrdal said: “Explicit sexual material means any material which: 1. Taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest of minors; 2. is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community in North Dakota as a whole with respect to what is suitable material for minors; and 3. taken as a whole lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value for minors.”

Fargo Democratic Senator Ryan Braunberger said he voted for the amendment in committee, but warned about this being a step in the wrong direction for censorship.

“I don’t think anybody in this body can agree that pornography should be shown to children – and I am one of those individuals,” Braunberger said. “However, these bills have an underlying intent to target individuals of the LGBTQ community.”

The bill passed on a vote of 39-to-7. It now goes back to the House, to see if there is agreement with Senate changes.

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(KNOX / ND PPR)