The proposed bill aims to prohibit the selection and purchase of materials containing descriptions or visual depictions of sex acts in public libraries across counties and cities in Iowa. It specifically mandates that librarians must not knowingly provide obscene material or hard-core pornography to minors. Parents or guardians of minors who believe that a librarian has violated these provisions can file complaints with the appropriate library board or city council. If the violations persist for 30 days after the complaint, they may initiate civil actions against the responsible municipal entities.

In the event that a parent or guardian prevails in a civil action, the bill stipulates that the court will award reasonable attorney fees and impose civil penalties on the municipal entity of at least $5,000, with an additional $500 per day for ongoing violations. Furthermore, the bill outlines specific damages to be awarded based on the nature of the violation, including a minimum of $10,000 for violations related to obscene material and $20,000 for hard-core pornography. The bill also allows the attorney general and county attorneys to enforce these provisions through civil actions, establishing a framework for accountability in public libraries regarding the protection of minors from inappropriate materials.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 336.8, 702.17