(COLUMBUS) - A new bill at the Ohio Statehouse is igniting a fierce battle over censorship, education, and parental control.
House Bill 583 would force schools, public libraries, and state agencies to make sure the online databases they use automatically block anything deemed inappropriate for minors -- including material labeled "obscene," "harmful to juveniles," or involving child sexual exploitation. Vendors that don't comply could lose state payments, be forced to issue refunds, or have their contracts cancelled. And if a school or library spots a violation, they'd be required to report it to the Ohio Attorney General. Backers say the measure is about keeping explicit content away from kids in taxpayer-funded institutions, but critics see it as part of a larger censorship push. The Ohio Federation of Teachers calls the bill another attempt to control what Ohioans are allowed to read or research, pointing to earlier efforts to criminalize librarians or move LGBTQ-themed books out of children's sections. Library leaders warn H.B. 583 could pressure vendors to over-filter, cutting off access to legitimate academic material just to avoid breaking the law. The proposal lands amid broader fights over "obscenity" and "material harmful to juveniles" -- including attempts to restrict school library books, limit performances some say target LGBTQ+ communities, and override Governor Mike DeWine's veto of a rule forcing libraries to relocate materials on sexual orientation and gender identity. House Bill 583 is now awaiting its first hearing in the House Finance Committee, where the public will get a chance to weigh in.