West Virginia House Judiciary Committee discusses jail time over books

CHARLESTON — Lawmakers Monday finally took a look at a bill that could throw the book at librarians over books deemed by some to be obscene.The House Judiciary recommended House Bill 4654 – removing bona fide schools, public libraries, and museums from the list of exemptions from criminal liability relating to distribution and display to a minor of obscene matter – to the full House in a 21-3 vote Monday evening after nearly two-and-a-half hours of discussion.

The bill would lift criminal liability exemptions from schools in the presentation of local or state-approved curriculum or public libraries and museums displaying obscene matter to a minor when the child is accompanied by a parent/guardian.Del. Brandon Steele, R-Raleigh, is the lead sponsor of the bill. Steele said his intention was to lift criminal liability protections in libraries so that the criminal laws about displaying obscene material to minors without their parent’s supervision would apply universally.