Idaho Gov. Brad Little has vetoed House Bill 314, aimed at restricting minors from accessing ‘harmful materials’ in school and community libraries.
The House voted 40-30 to pass measure, followed by a 26-9 approving vote in the Idaho Senate on March 30. The bill is known as the school and library protection act.
The bill would have allowed a parent to sue a library for $2,500 if their child were to check out a book they found inappropriate or obscene.
Under the legislation, library boards or school districts could be sued if a minor obtained “harmful materials” and the library or school did not restrict access with “reasonable steps.”
Gov. Brad Little said his main concern with the bill is its “ambiguity.” In his veto, Little said the measure would have “unintended consequences for Idaho libraries and their patrons.”
