SB 74 Georgia Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Harmful Materials to Minors; exemption for libraries and librarians from the provisions of Code Section 16-12-103; repeal

Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 3 of Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to sale or distribution of harmful materials to minors, so as to repeal an exemption for libraries and librarians from the provisions of Code Section 16-12-103, relating to selling, loaning, distributing, or exhibiting materials harmful to minors; to provide that any violation of such Code section shall be a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature when committed knowingly; to provide for a defense for librarians who make good faith attempts to identify and remove material harmful to minors; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 3, 2025 Last action Feb 9, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed Senate → LC 48 1726S/hss · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was revised from a Senate version to a House substitute version. The primary change is that the House version shifts focus from amending library exception laws to amending library board trustee duties, including adding training requirements for reviewing reconsideration requests about harmful materials to minors.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from primarily amending library exception provisions to amending library board trustee responsibilities, including adding training requirements for reviewing reconsideration requests.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the bill's purpose from repealing library exemptions to amending library board trustee duties, specifically adding training requirements for reviewing reconsideration requests regarding materials harmful to minors.

Removed provisions that established an affirmative defense for librarians who made good faith attempts to identify and remove harmful materials.

Added new trustee duties requiring notification of vacancies and library board meetings, plus training procedures for reviewing reconsideration requests.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2026.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2025

How they voted

33–21

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 55

Mar 3, 2025

D Democratic22

1 Yea 21 Nay

95% Nay

R Republican33

32 Yea 1

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

lower

Mar 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

upper

Feb 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Committee

Senate Read and Referred

upper

Feb 3, 2025

Introduced

Senate Hopper

upper

17 primary · 0 co-sponsors