School library content proposal awaits North Carolina Senate

(The Center Square) – Following lower chamber lawmakers tossing labels of pornography and book bans about in discussion, the North Carolina Senate is next to get a crack at legislation involving content available to minors in schools.

Passage in the House of Representatives (63-46) included two crossing the aisle, a Democrat and Republican each. Lawmakers left for Easter break last week and resume their sessions next week.

Promoting Wholesome Content for Students, known also as House Bill 636, drew criticism from most Democrats. Words like “censorship” and “book banning” were in their discussion. Eliminating the “vulgar” and “pornography” were in the advocacy for the bill by most Republicans.

Scotland County Democratic Rep. Garland Pierce voted aye, and Iredell County Republican Rep. Todd Carver voted no. Moore County Republican Rep. Neal Jackson authored the proposal.

All ages and grade levels would be kept from “descriptions or visual depictions of sexual activity,” if the proposal becomes law. All the state’s school districts (115) would be required to have a panel of five parents or guardians and five educators that review school library material for violations. Book fairs would also be subject to the law.

Policies, the proposal says, should yield age-appropriate offerings with literary value. There would be compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act.

The bill is specific to allow litigation against the districts or schools if parents, guardians or residents if they feel there is a violation. The State Board of Education would maintain a database of material denied inclusion.