Bill > SB276

This bill creates and modifies provisions relating to access to pornographic materials in public schools and libraries in Missouri. It establishes new requirements for digital library catalogs and public access computers, mandating that schools and libraries implement measures to restrict minors' access to explicit sexual materials and pornographic content. The bill requires school districts and charter schools to appoint a digital library catalog administrator responsible for excluding inappropriate materials and to develop a resources challenge policy that allows taxpayers to dispute materials in school libraries. Parents are granted the right to bring civil actions against schools, school board members, and library personnel if explicit sexual materials or pornographically inappropriate content are made available to minors, with potential financial penalties ranging from $500 for negligence to $2,000 for intentional violations. Schools and libraries must either install filtering software on computers and digital catalogs or develop policies to restrict minors' access to inappropriate content by January 1, 2026. The bill also requires that the administrators and workplace locations of digital library catalog administrators be made publicly available, and mandates that schools maintain and publish a list of all material challenges and their outcomes. Additionally, the bill expands definitions of digital library catalogs and clarifies terminology around pornographic and explicit sexual materials for minors.

Education

https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=441