Central ND News

The North Dakota House of Representatives has passed Senate Bill 2307, which would mandate that public and school libraries relocate materials deemed to contain "explicit sexual material" to areas not easily accessible by minors. The bill narrowly passed the House on April 14 with a 49–45 vote and now awaits Governor Kelly Armstrong's decision.

Senator Keith Boehm (R-Mandan), the primary sponsor of SB 2307, emphasized several key points of the legislation during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on March 18. 

"Libraries and schools were once places of safety and learning, but over time activists and loopholes in existing law have allowed inappropriate material to be introduced in these spaces," Boehm said. 

In response to censorship claims, Boehm said during the hearing, "This is not about limiting free speech. It is about setting reasonable boundaries in spaces where children learn and grow."  

Boehm suggested that explicit content could be moved to a cabinet with proper signage or a roped-off section for adults only. 

Supporters argue that the legislation protects children from inappropriate content.  

According to North Dakota Monitor, parent Sara Planteen from Cogswell, testified that her concerns about inappropriate library content we ignored.

"When schools fail to follow their own policies, when they dismiss parental concerns, then it is the duty of the elected officials to step in," Planteen said. 

If signed into law, the bill would require that libraries develop policies to review and potentially relocate books deemed to contain inappropriate content by January 2026. Additionally, digital and online resources for K–12 students must implement safety policies and technology protection measures to prevent access to obscene or sexually explicit content.

A violation could result in misdemeanor charges for any person responsible for displaying sexually explicit content where minors can access it.  

SB 2307 defines "explicit sexual material" as content that, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest of minors, is patently offensive under prevailing standards in the adult community regarding what is suitable for minors, and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors. 

The House Appropriations Committee issued a 22–1 "Do Not Pass" recommendation, citing an estimated $2 million cost to taxpayers for implementation.

Governor Armstrong has not yet indicated whether he will sign the bill into law. Advocacy groups, including Right to Read North Dakota, are urging a veto, arguing that the bill imposes unnecessary censorship mandates and increases state control over local libraries.