Education (Libraries)

SB 238 adds an affirmative defense for library, school, and museum employees in criminal cases involving minor-related offenses (like distributing indecent material to minors), meaning they can argue they were acting within their job duties. It requires public libraries to adopt written policies for selecting and reviewing materials that prevent censorship based on content, origin, or viewpoint, and ensures materials remain available during reconsideration requests. The policy must include a clear process for patrons to request reviews - without removal during the review - and consider factors like relevance, demand, and condition. This bill directly affects public libraries, their staff, and patrons by establishing standardized, transparent rules for managing library collections.