School librarians could face prison for sharing content under this new Indiana law

Jenny Porter Tilley and Cate Charron, Indianapolis Star
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Legislation banning "harmful materials" from school libraries in Indiana passed the General Assembly in the final days of the 2023 session.

Here's what you need to know about Indiana House Bill 1447, which has been signed into law.

Indiana General Assembly 2023: House, Senate agree on measure to ban books from school libraries

What's in Indiana House Bill 1447?

The education bill initially was drafted to provide guidelines regarding third-party vendors for analysis, evaluations or surveys in schools. Late in the session, language was added that would classify literature "harmful to minors" under the same umbrella as already banned obscene materials.

Indiana Code outlines the following definitions of materials that are "harmful to minors":

  • Nudity, sexual content or "sado-masochistic abuse"

  • A persuasiveness for minors to engage in sexual activities

  • Offensive content to community standards for adults considering what's suitable to minors to see

  • Content void of "serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value" for kids

Librarians who violate the law could be charged with a Level 6 felony and face up to two and a half years of jail time.

Opponents worry about the chilling effects of stiff penalties creating pressure to remove books with anything controversial, such as LGBTQ content.

Teachers from across the state rally at the Indiana Statehouse on Thursday, April 13, 2023, in Indianapolis. Teachers called for more public school funding and spoke in opposition to a bill that would remove many discussion topics from the collective bargaining process, as well as "culture war and book banning bills."
Teachers from across the state rally at the Indiana Statehouse on Thursday, April 13, 2023, in Indianapolis. Teachers called for more public school funding and spoke in opposition to a bill that would remove many discussion topics from the collective bargaining process, as well as "culture war and book banning bills."

Who authored HB 1447?

  • Author: Rep. Donna Shaibley, R-Carmel

  • Co-authors: Rep. Julie McGuire, R-Indianapolis, Rep. Becky Cash, R-Zionsville

  • Sponsors: Sen. Stacey Donato, R-Logansport, Sen. Jeff Raatz, R-Richmond

What's the status of Indiana House Bill 1447?

HB 1447 passed the House, 69-28, and passed the Senate, 39-10.

Full text of HB 1447

Click here to read the full text of the bill.

Indiana General Assembly: IndyStar tracked key bills this legislative session. These ones passed both chambers.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana HB 1447: Here's what Indiana's book banning bill says