Alabama Republican Party chairman John Wahl, who also sits on the Alabama Public Library Service board, said there were actions the Alabama Legislature could take to respond to public libraries opting to include what some deem objectionable sexual content in their children and young adult collections.
During an appearance on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5's "The Jeff Poor Show" on Tuesday, Wahl said the legislature could strip libraries of their obscenity law exemptions, making libraries legally liable for that content under some circumstances.
"I think that is definitely a possibility moving into the 2024 session," he said. "And the reason for that is, in general, in Alabama law, libraries are exempt from some of the obscenity laws. I think we definitely could see the legislature consider a bill that would take that exemption away from libraries. They're abusing their status here in putting explicit sexual material in front of children in children's sections. That's a problem, and I think the legislature is well within its bounds to say, 'Look, if you're going to do obscene material, you might not should have that exemption in the law for the obscenity provisions where the law does protect children in other areas of media.'"
Jeff Poor is the editor in chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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