Senate Bill 2307 mandates library policy changes for explicit material accessibility

During a recent meeting of the North Dakota House Appropriations Committee, significant discussions centered around a proposed bill aimed at regulating explicit materials in school and public libraries. This legislation, which builds on measures enacted in the 2023 session, mandates that school districts and public libraries develop policies to review their collections and relocate explicit materials to less accessible areas for minors.

The bill requires the formation of decision-making committees within libraries and school districts to address requests for the relocation of such materials. If individuals are dissatisfied with the committee's decision, they can escalate the matter to the local state's attorney, who will review the material in question. Should the attorney determine that the material violates North Dakota's obscenity laws, they must notify the library or school district, which then has ten days to take corrective action. Failure to comply could result in the withholding of state funds allocated to the institution.

Senator Bame, the bill's prime sponsor, proposed an amendment to remove a section related to safety policies and technology protection measures, which sparked further discussion among committee members. Questions arose regarding the potential costs associated with compliance, particularly concerning the federal Children's Internet Protection Act, which was also referenced in the proposed amendments.

The committee emphasized that this meeting was not a public hearing, limiting opportunities for public testimony. However, the discussions highlighted the ongoing efforts to ensure that educational environments are safe and appropriate for all students, reflecting broader community concerns about access to explicit content in public spaces. As the bill progresses, compliance reports will be required by May 1, 2026, ensuring accountability and transparency in how libraries and schools manage their collections.