TO CREATE THE PROTECTING CHILDHOOD INNOCENCE IN LIBRARIES ACT.

House Bill 1977, titled the "Protecting Childhood Innocence in Libraries Act," requires public school libraries and other taxpayer-funded libraries to ensure that sexually explicit material is not placed on open shelves in children's library areas, which are designated for children aged twelve and under. Sex education materials would also be kept off open shelves but could be accessed by a child with a parent or guardian's request. The bill creates a private legal right for parents or guardians to sue libraries for damages and other relief if their child is exposed to sexually explicit material in these children's sections.