Wyoming Bill To Keep Explicit Materials Away From Kids Faces Key Vote

A bill that aims to keep sexually explicit materials out of areas of libraries where they can be seen by children is slated for a potential third and decisive reading in the Wyoming House of Representatives on Friday.

House Bill 10 is sponsored by the House Judiciary Committee. It aims to make sure that sexually explicit materials are kept out of children's sections of libraries. The bill defines children as being under the age of 18.

The bill would provide a process for challenging materials that members of the public find objectionable. Such materials could be moved to an adult section, and a decision on the challenge would be issued within 60 days. The challenge would be reviewed by the local school board.

People who live in the county could sue the library for up to $500 for not properly implementing the challenge

Supporters of the legislation say it protects minors from sexually explicit or pornographic materials. Opponents argue that it amounts to censorship and puts librarians and school districts in a difficult position.

Rep. Julie Jarvis: Graphic Novels Are The Biggest Culprit

Rep. Julie Jarvis [R-Natrona County] on Thursday offered an amendment to the bill that would have included sexual acts involving extra terrestrial beings or animals under the definition of sexually explicit content. Jarvis said her proposal was prompted by a review by librarians of books, page by page. "And guess which books were the biggest culprits, that we had no idea? They're graphic novels. They're comic books."

She went on to explain that because the librarians don't typically read comic books ''No one knew. No one knew they were there,"

She says the books contained images of "people with animal heads. It's extra terrestrial animals doing things. And the pictures are disgusting. They're sexually explicit."

Jarvis also proposed allowing parents to give their children written permission to see sexually explicit materials. Her amendment would have also barred children from online catalogues without written permission from their parents.

But the House rejected the amendment, one of four proposed changes on second reading to either fail or be withdrawn.