OHIO, USA — A newly proposed Ohio bill is looking to charge teachers and librarians with a felony if they distribute materials that are considered "obscene."
House Bill 556, introduced to the House by Republican State Rep. Adam Mathews, aims to "create criminal liability for certain teachers and librarians for the offense of pandering obscenity," according to the bill's language.
It states that teachers and school librarians would be prohibited from creating, reproducing, publishing, promoting or advertising "any obscene material."
Additionally, the bill looks to prohibit those individuals from creating, directing or producing "an obscene performance, when the offender knows that it will be used for commercial exploitation or will be publicly presented."
The specifics on what classifies materials as "obscene" are not outlined in the bill.
Those in violation of these offenses will be charged with pandering obscenity, a fifth-degree felony. If an individual had been charged with the same offense in the past, it would be a fourth-degree felony.
However, the bill states that it is an "affirmative defense" if the individual accused can prove that the material or performance was for a "bona fide medical, scientific, religious, governmental, judicial or other proper purpose."
Ohio Education Association President Scott DiMauro expressed his thoughts on the bill, stating that the OEA is "appalled by HB 556's attempt to silence or punish educators for doing their jobs."
DiMauro went on to say that "HB 556 would have a chilling effect on our classrooms by making trained, experienced professionals unsure whether the necessary, legitimate education materials they have been using with their students would be safe under this dangerous law."
As of May 21, the bill has been referred to the House committee.
