The North Dakota House Appropriations Committee has voted 22-1 to issue a recommendation against a bill that would require school and public libraries to relocate sexually explicit books to areas not easily accessible by minors. The committee rejected an amendment to exempt an online library database from the bill, citing concerns about the cost of implementing an age verification system on the database. During discussions, lawmakers expressed concerns about loopholes that could still allow minors to access explicit content and the added costs for state’s attorneys to investigate and prosecute violations. Some lawmakers also raised concerns about the constitutionality of withholding state funds from schools that do not comply with the bill.
The bill, which was previously approved in the Senate and received a do-pass recommendation from the House Judiciary Committee, will now move to the House floor for a vote by the entire chamber. Rep. Mike Brandenburg was the only committee member to support the bill, citing concerns from voters in his district about objectionable content in schools. The bill has sparked a contentious debate among lawmakers and stakeholders, with differing opinions on the impact and effectiveness of such legislation. The outcome of the bill’s vote on the House floor remains uncertain as the debate continues.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
