The new House Bill 4, sponsored by Rep. Arnold Mooney and co-sponsored by 49 House members, aims to criminalize librarians for shelving “obscene” literature targeting LGBTQ and racial justice content. Despite claims that the bill is part of a nationally-coordinated effort, it does not explicitly mention racial issues or sexual orientation. The bill redefines “harmful to minors” by changing the definition of “sexual conduct” and outlines a procedure for charging librarians if such material is available in sections for minors. It also includes a section on gender-oriented conduct in public libraries and K-12 schools. The bill requires written complaints from residents or parents of students and provides libraries with options to address potential violations before facing criminal charges.
The bill has a controversial history, originating as a ban on drag performances before transitioning to target library materials. Critics argue that the real goal is to clear the way for criminal charges against libraries that distribute material deemed harmful to minors, aligning with the goals of Project 2025 from the Heritage Foundation. Despite claims of protecting against obscenity, there has been no evidence of Alabama libraries distributing obscene content. The legislation has drawn criticism from organizations like Read Freely Alabama, which defends the diversity and inclusivity of library collections. With the bill filed for the upcoming legislative session and strong support from House members, its passage through the lower body appears likely.
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