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IA HF274
IA HF274A bill for an act relating to obscenity exemptions for public libraries and educational institutions.(See HF 521.)
summary
Introduced
02/10/2025
02/10/2025
In Committee
02/10/2025
02/10/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill repeals Code section 728.7, which relates to obscenity exemptions for public libraries and educational institutions. Code section 728.7 currently provides that nothing in Code chapter 728 (obscenity) prohibits the use of appropriate material for educational purposes in any accredited school, any public library, or in any educational program in which a minor is participating. Code section 728.7 further provides that Code chapter 728 does not prohibit the attendance of minors at an exhibition or display of art works or the use of any materials in any public library. Code section 728.1 defines “obscene material”, which includes material the average person, taking the material as a whole and applying contemporary community standards with respect to what is suitable material for minors, would find appeals to the prurient interest and is patently offensive; and the material, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, scientific, political, or artistic value.
AI Summary
This bill proposes to repeal Section 728.7 of the Iowa Code, which currently provides important protections and exemptions related to obscenity for public libraries, educational institutions, and certain educational programs. Under the existing law, materials used for legitimate educational purposes in accredited schools, public libraries, and educational programs involving minors were not considered obscene, and minors could attend art exhibitions or use library materials without those materials being deemed inappropriate. By repealing this section, the bill would remove these existing legal safeguards, potentially making it easier to challenge or restrict access to educational materials in schools and libraries based on obscenity claims. The repeal could have significant implications for how educational institutions and libraries manage their collections and programming, potentially exposing them to greater legal scrutiny regarding the materials they provide to students and the public, especially materials dealing with sensitive or complex topics.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 521. (on 02/20/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF274 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF274.html |
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