SB1250

Eagle Forum Oklahoma Awaiting review of version 4

Existing Department of Education rules (OK Admin Code 210-35-3-126) prohibits materials in school libraries from having pornographic materials. Pornographic materials means the average person believes the material (e.g., a book) describes sexual conduct which is patently offensive, has a prominent theme that promotes a prurient interest in sex and lacks serious literary, artistic, educational, scientific or political value. Many Oklahoma schools rely on the requirement regarding literary value to put books on the school library shelves that obviously encourage an excessive interest in sex to minors and depict patently offensive sexual conduct. SB1250 corrects this problem by simply stating that public and charter school libraries shall not include materials containing or depicting obscene material, sexual conduct, sexually explicit content, nudity, or material that is harmful to minors. The bill does not prohibit a student from bringing such materials to school, apparently leaving such rules up to local school districts. Recalcitrant school districts which persist in providing banned materials are subject to a possible funding penalty, at the discretion of the State Board of Education.