WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SF 235

A bill for an act relating to obscenity exemptions for public libraries and educational institutions.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sandy Salmon

SF 235 repeals the obscenity exemption for libraries and schools, making materials in educational settings subject only to general obscenity laws.

Subcommittee recommends passage.
#felonies #libraries #minors #obscenity #schools
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SF 235

Summary: SF 235 (2025) – Obscenity Exemptions for Public Libraries and Educational Institutions

Quick overview

  • Bill number/title: SF 235, a bill for an act relating to obscenity exemptions for public libraries and educational institutions
  • Purpose: Repeal the current statutory obscenity exemption for libraries and educational institutions
  • Current status: Subcommittee recommends passage
  • Introduced: February 10, 2025
  • Primary sponsor: Senator Salmon

What the bill would do

  • Repeal of exemption: SF 235 repeals Code section 728.7, which currently provides an obscenity exemption for:
    • Educational purposes in accredited schools
    • Public libraries
    • Educational programs in which a minor participates
    • Attendance of minors at exhibitions or displays of art or use of materials in public libraries
  • Effect of repeal: Without 728.7, the use, display, and dissemination of materials in schools, libraries, and related educational programs would no longer be shielded by this exemption and would instead be governed solely by the general obscenity provisions in Chapter 728.

Context: current law (for reference)

  • Obscene material definition (Code 728.1): Material that, taken as a whole, would, by the average person applying contemporary community standards for minors, appeal to prurient interest, be patently offensive, and lack serious literary, scientific, political, or artistic value.
  • Existing carve-out (728.7): Explicitly allows appropriate educational materials to be used in accredited schools, public libraries, or minor-participation educational programs, and allows minors to attend art displays or use library materials.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 1: Repeals Code section 728.7 (the obscenity exemptions described above).
  • No new exemptions proposed: The bill does not insert alternative exemptions; it removes the explicit carve-out, leaving the status of materials in educational settings to be governed by general obscenity law.

Who would be affected

  • Public libraries and educational institutions: Would lose the statutory exemption that currently permits use/display of materials deemed appropriate for educational purposes, potentially affecting programming, collection development, and displays involving minors.
  • Minors: Could see changes in access to certain materials or exhibitions that were previously exempt under 728.7, subject to standard obscenity law.
  • Educators and librarians: Might face greater exposure to obscenity restrictions when selecting and presenting materials in educational contexts.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Committee actions:
    • 2025-02-17: Subcommittee members named (Salmon, Pike, Quirmbach)
    • 2025-02-25: Subcommittee meeting and recommendation to pass
    • 2025-02-25: Subcommittee recommends passage (reported out)
  • Referral: Introduced and referred to the Education committee on February 10, 2025

Potential implications

  • The repeal shifts reliance onto general obscenity standards rather than a specific exemption, which could affect:
    • Selection and display of educational materials
    • Minor participation in certain programs or exhibitions
    • Library and school policies governing material access and curation

This summary provides an objective view of SF 235’s substance, affected parties, and procedural trajectory based on the introduced text and current committee actions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.