Legislation allowing tort claims against libraries found guilty of disseminating harmful materials received final legislative approval in a 26-9 House vote Friday morning.
House Bill 314 would allow $2,500 fine for libraries found to have allowed children access to “obscene or harmful” materials public or school libraries. Based in the Idaho Tort Claims Act — a statute for claims against government entities, like schools and public libraries — the bill allows parents or guardians to “bring a civil action against the school or library for damages and injunctive relief” if the minor in their care is exposed to such materials.
The measure passed the House on April 20 in a 40-30 vote. Friday’s Senate vote was 26-9. The bill now awaits Gov. Brad Little’s signature to become law. It was the seventh library bill considered by lawmakers this year, but the only one to make it the governor’s desk for his signature.