Arizona librarians could face felony charges for giving ‘sexually explicit books’ to minors

PHOENIX — Legislative efforts across the country are taking aim at books and employees in public schools and libraries, including right here in Arizona.

Senate Bill 1567, which passed the Arizona State Senate on Feb. 26, makes exposing minors to “sexually explicit” content in written text, audio, or video form a Class 5 felony. The bill is sponsored by Republican Senator Jake Hoffman

The bill defines sexual explicit content as:

• “Sexual conduct”
  • Acts of masturbation
  • Sexual intercourse
  • “Contact with a person’s clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks or female breast”
• “Sexual excitement”
  • “The condition of human male or female genitals when in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal”
• “Ultimate sexual acts”
  • Sexual intercourse, vaginal or anal
  • Fellatio 
  • Cunnilingus
  • Bestiality
  • Sodomy 

Notably, the list does not include rape or sexual assault. 

A Class 5 felony for a first-time offender can be a minimum of half a year in prison and a maximum of 2.5 years in prison, according to the Arizona Legislature. 

Some examples of Class 5 felonies in Arizona are property crimes, drug crimes, and white collar crimes, such as drug possession with intent to sell, distribute, or manufacture, according to The Valley Law Group.

One exception noted in the bill is when materials are shown in court proceedings and the minor is required to be present.

The bill is set to be heard in the House on March 11. 

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