Librarians who work in public school or government-run libraries could face a felony charge if they recommend a book or media that contains sexually explicit content to a minor — including anything that depicts "sexual conduct, sexual excitement or ultimate sexual acts" — under a proposed Arizona bill.
Republican Sen. David Farnsworth supports Senate Bill 1435.
"My wife and I absolutely forbid our children from reading those horrible Judy Blume books," he said. "And because we didn’t clean up our society back then, then we have to deal with absolutely horrific things today."
Democratic Sen. Lauren Kuby opposed the measure, saying the bill criminalizes librarians and educators with a threat of two and half years in jail.
The bill passed out of committee on Wednesday and now must pass a vote of the full Senate.
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