Long, heated hearing on HB 324 exposes sharp divisions over school library review, appeals and penalties

Representative Glenn Cordelli opened testimony on House Bill 324, saying the bill would remove K‑12 education from the state obscenity exemption and create a statutory complaints process that allows parents to object to age‑inappropriate materials and, if necessary, seek remedies up to a civil action. “Currently, our state obscenity laws exempt education … this bill removes K‑12 education from that exemption,” Cordelli told the committee.

Cordelli framed the bill as a parental‑rights measure designed to ensure a clear complaint and appeal process when parents find materials they consider sexually explicit or age‑inappropriate. He said the bill would not likely result in criminal prosecutions, based on his discussions with the Attorney General, but would establish local and state review and a possible civil remedy if a district fails to follow the complaint…