Skip Navigation

Key parts of Arkansas law allowing criminal charges against librarians are unconstitutional, federal judge rules

www.cbsnews.com Key parts of Arkansas law allowing criminal charges against librarians are unconstitutional, federal judge rules

A federal judge struck down key parts of an Arkansas law that would have allowed criminal charges against librarians and booksellers for providing "harmful" materials to minors.

Key parts of Arkansas law allowing criminal charges against librarians are unconstitutional, federal judge rules

Summary

A federal judge struck down key parts of an Arkansas law (Act 372) that would have allowed criminal charges against librarians and booksellers for providing “harmful” materials to minors, deeming them unconstitutional.

The law, signed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in 2023, sought to relocate challenged library materials to restricted areas but faced opposition from groups like the ACLU, citing censorship concerns.

Supporters argue the law protects children from obscene content, and the state plans to appeal.

Similar restrictive book laws have been passed in other conservative states.

15
15 comments
You've viewed 15 comments.