The bill amends sections 11-31-1 and 11-31-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-31, titled "Obscene and Objectionable Publications and Shows." It introduces new provisions to the existing law, specifying that the promotion of obscene materials for commercial gain is punishable by fines or imprisonment. The bill defines what constitutes obscene material, considering community standards and the material's lack of serious literary, artistic, educational, governmental, political, or scientific value. The amendments include the addition of "educational" and "governmental" to the types of values that can render a work non-obscene. It also outlines the criteria for determining what is considered obscene, including the nature of the material, the community standards, and the definitions of terms such as "material," "patently offensive," "performance," "promote," "sexual conduct," and "standards of decency."

Furthermore, the bill provides an affirmative defense for employees or officials of bona fide schools, museums, or public libraries, protecting them from prosecution under these sections when acting within the scope of their employment. It acknowledges the role of libraries and educational institutions in providing diverse and balanced collections of materials to the public and aims to protect their financial resources from being drained by litigation. The bill also addresses the sale or exhibition of indecent materials to minors, defining what is considered "indecent for minors" and establishing penalties for those who engage in such activities. The act would take effect upon passage, and it emphasizes the state's interest in supporting the educational and informational roles of libraries and educational institutions without the burden of legal challenges.