The "Protecting Childhood Innocence in Libraries Act" aims to ensure that children's sections in public and taxpayer-funded libraries in Arkansas are free from sexually explicit materials. The bill establishes that parents have the right to control their children's education regarding sex and mandates that libraries take reasonable steps to prevent sexually explicit content from being accessible on open shelving in children's areas. Additionally, sex education materials can only be accessed by children aged twelve and under with parental consent.

The legislation also provides a private cause of action for parents or guardians whose children encounter sexually explicit material in these library sections, allowing them to seek damages and legal relief against libraries that fail to comply with the new requirements. The bill defines key terms such as "age-appropriate material," "children's library section," and "sexually explicit material," ensuring clarity in its enforcement. Overall, the act emphasizes the importance of age-appropriate content in libraries to support the educational development of children while respecting parental rights.