MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) The debate over a bill with policies addressing harmful content for kids is heating up even more among South Dakota lawmakers. Librarians and educators had some of their worries eased on Monday when the State Senate voted to amend House Bill 12-39 that could’ve resulted in jail time for librarians. But Republican Senator Taffy Howard shared some strong words about keeping certain material away from kids on the Senate floor this week, where she said, quote “If somebody had knowingly given that to my children when they were little, I’d want them strung up from the nearest tree.” South Dakota Library Association President, Elizabeth Fox, says she believes the recent rhetoric on the issue has turned extreme; adding she has never met a librarian who would go out of their way to distribute harmful material. Senator Howard has since clarified her comment, telling KELO Land News it was an exaggeration, a poor choice of words, and not something she would have literally done.
Library Harmful Content Bill Battle
The debate over a bill addressing harmful content for children is intensifying among South Dakota lawmakers. Tensions rose earlier this week after the State Senate voted to amend House Bill 1239, which could have led to jail time for librarians, easing some concerns from educators and library professionals. However, Republican Senator Taffy Howard escalated the debate with strong remarks on the Senate floor, stating, "If somebody had knowingly given that to my children when they were little, I'd want them strung up from the nearest tree."
