The budget bill has passed the Ohio House and Senate and is now headed to Governor’s Desk to be signed on Monday.
The bill contains a provision that would restrict where libraries could place materials discussing “sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.”
The bill would also require those materials be placed “in a portion of the library that is not primarily open to the view of persons under the age of eighteen.”
Legal experts have already raised constitutional red flags, warning that the HB 96 language could violate both state and federal free speech protections.
We are asking our users to email Governor DeWine right away asking him to use his line-item veto power to remove this language from the budget bill. Let’s trust parents to know what is best for their children.
Here are some reasons we’re requesting the veto, which you can use when composing your email:
- This mandate takes control away from caregivers. We believe parents—not libraries or the state—should decide what materials are best for their children. This bill undermines that role by shifting responsibility to the state and away from caregivers.
- We already have a policy addressing community members’ concerns about specific materials. The process is in place and working well – it doesn’t require new legislation or government interference.
- It could be costly to move materials. Most public libraries lack the space, staffing, or funding to redesign their layouts or manage new restricted areas.
- The bill’s wording is unclear. This ambiguity would leave libraries unsure how to comply and could result in confusion and inconsistent application. There is also the question of whether we’d lose funding if we’re not in full compliance.
Thank you for supporting your Library.
Source: Ohio Library Council
