A bill requiring school and public libraries to relocate sexually explicit content passed the North Dakota House after a 49-45 vote following a debate. Sponsored by Sen. Keith Boehm, the bill allows individuals to challenge library content and seek a state’s attorney’s opinion if they disagree with local review processes. If content is deemed obscene and not removed, state funding to libraries or schools could be withheld. The bill is estimated to cost $1.1 million for 2025-27, with additional costs for county state’s attorney’s offices and local libraries. The ACLU of North Dakota has criticized the bill as censorship, questioning who will determine what is considered obscene. Many lawmakers referred to library content as pornography, with objections raised against LGBTQ graphic novels and other challenged books. Despite a House Appropriations Committee recommendation against the bill, it was approved by the House and will be sent to Gov. Kelly Armstrong for consideration. Rep. Bernie Satrom, who supported the bill, stated that the cost of age verification was a small price to pay to protect children from obscene content. Critics argue that the bill infringes on freedom of expression and imposes personal moral values on others. The debate over the bill highlights the ongoing tensions between censorship, protection of children, and individual liberties.
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