North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong reportedly vetoed a bill aimed at restricting access to “sexually explicit” books in schools, labeling it a misguided attempt to legislate morality.
Senate Bill 2307 sought to prevent school districts from keeping explicit materials in classrooms and libraries, allowing parents to challenge books they deemed inappropriate.
In his veto message, Armstrong argued that the bill was “unworkable” and infringed on free speech.
Armstrong acknowledged the concerns that prompted the bill but criticized its vague language and potential for unintended consequences.
He expressed worry that such legislation could lead to the exclusion of valuable literature from libraries, stating, “We are harming our children, that’s all there is to it.”
The governor emphasized that the time and resources spent on regulating book placement would be better utilized elsewhere, given the prevalence of explicit content in modern media.
The bill aimed to expand on a law passed in 2023 that already prohibited sexually explicit books in public library children’s sections, requiring schools to develop policies ensuring compliance.
Critics argued that the proposal would create unnecessary challenges for schools and libraries, burdening them with complaints over innocuous materials.
Despite passing the Republican-controlled state Senate and House, Armstrong deemed the bill redundant and overly burdensome.
He also vetoed another Republican-backed initiative to create Education Savings Accounts for private school students, stating it failed to address school choice needs in rural areas.
The debate over sexually explicit books continues to be a contentious issue nationwide, reflecting broader concerns among parents about protecting children from graphic content in educational settings.
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