The House Education Committee heard HB 1134 authored by Rep. Cook and Co-authored by Reps. Prescott and Goodrich on education matters. The bill, in relevant part, makes changes to the definition of “sexually explicit” for the purpose of trade regulation. It also removes schools and certain public libraries from the list of entities eligible for a specified defense to criminal prosecutions alleging the dissemination of material harmful to minors or a performance harmful to minors. The bill adds colleges and universities to the entities eligible for a specified defense to criminal prosecutions alleging the dissemination of material harmful to minors or a performance harmful to minors.
The Committee previously heard five hours of public testimony on this bill and began this meeting taking testimony from lobbyists and individuals representing various education concerned organizations. Rep. Cook introduced Amendment #4 making clarification changes to the bill based on the testimony heard. Chair Behning requested additional language changes to the composition of the curriculum committee. Amendment #4 with Rep. Behning’s language was adopted by consent.
The bill passed 9-4.
Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2022/bills/house/1134