Proposal would require safeguards for online library resources used by students

The text sets rules for public libraries and school districts about explicit sexual material in collections. A school district includes school and classroom libraries it controls. The text defines a public library in this section as one established under chapter 40-38. The amendment’s wording about children's collections and areas easily accessible to minors is unclear. The text gives 2026 deadlines for collection policies and a report to the Legislative Management; the printed amendment does not make the dates fully clear.

Institutions offering online library resources to K–12 students would need safeguards that block explicit sexual material and obscene performances. The rules cover digital or online library database resources offered to students in kindergarten through grade 12 by a school district, state agency, or public library. The provider must verify that its resources meet the safety rules. If it fails to comply, the institution must withhold further payments until compliance is verified. For these rules, public libraries exclude the State Library; state agencies exclude the State Library and higher education institutions. Institutions offering these resources would need review policies by January 1, 2026. Public libraries and public school libraries would report each year by December 1.

A local state's attorney would review alleged violations and could pursue prosecution if an institution did not correct a violation within ten days. The review covers alleged violations by public libraries, school districts, and state agencies under the collection and online-resource sections. An interested person must first complete the applicable complaint procedures before requesting a review. The state's attorney must issue an opinion within 60 days of the request. After notice, a public library, state agency, or school district would have ten days to correct a violation. If it does not, funds allocated to it must be withheld until compliance is confirmed; prosecution for failure to comply is permitted, not required. The state's attorney would issue an opinion within 60 days after receiving a request. The ten-day correction period starts when the institution receives notice.