Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Legislature is once again considering HB 4, known as the Common Sense Library Obscenity Bill, introduced by Representative Arnold Mooney. The bill, which has garnered support from 50 co-sponsors, seeks to remove the exemption that public libraries currently have under state obscenity laws. Advocates argue that this change is necessary to prevent taxpayer-funded libraries from providing minors access to materials deemed sexually explicit.
Under current Alabama law, distributing obscene material to minors is illegal, but libraries have been granted an exemption. Proponents of HB 4 argue that this exemption has allowed public libraries to expose children to inappropriate content. The bill aims to eliminate this exemption, applying the same legal standards to libraries as other institutions.
Despite its significant support, HB 4 has not yet been scheduled for consideration by the House Judiciary Committee. Representative Jim Hill, who chairs the committee, has the authority to place the bill on the calendar. Some advocates have expressed frustration over the delay, urging legislators to take action.
Supporters of HB 4 contend that the bill is necessary to protect children and ensure that public funds are not used to provide access to explicit content. They argue that parents, not librarians, should have control over what materials children can access. The American Library Association (ALA) has been cited as a key opponent of such restrictions, with critics alleging that the organization has pushed to maintain broad access to controversial materials in libraries.
Opponents of the bill, including library organizations and free speech advocates, caution that such measures could lead to censorship and the removal of legitimate educational resources. They argue that obscenity laws are already in place to regulate explicit material and that local library boards should be responsible for determining appropriate content rather than state legislation.
With growing public discourse around the issue, HB 4’s future remains uncertain. Proponents continue to call for action, urging lawmakers to move the bill forward, while opponents argue that additional restrictions could undermine intellectual freedom. The debate over the role of public libraries in content regulation is expected to continue as the legislative session progresses.
