A BILL, QUIETLY GIVEN TO THE GOVERNOR TO SIGN LAST MONTH, MIGHT HAVE AN EFFECT ON GRAPHIC NOVELS IN MISSOURI SCHOOL LIBRARIES

UPDATE: The governor signed it. 

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We haven't seen much about it in the news, but, Senate Bill 775 includes an amendment that gives more teeth to Missouri's obscenity laws. 

It specifically mentions people associated with schools who give sexually explicit material to students. 

Current Missouri law doesn't do that.

It wouldn't affect all books in Missouri school libraries that parents consider pornographic in nature; only such books that include images.

Those books are generally considered graphic novels. Graphic novels are basically comic books.

Here's the link to the bill and information about it. It shows both Missouri's senate and house passed it and that it was sent to the governor to sign. If Parson signs it or if he does nothing, it will become law. If he vetoes it and two thirds of Missouri's legislators override the veto, it will become law.

DETAILS IN THE BILL: IT INCLUDES TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS

Around page 43 are descriptions of what's considered obscene. (Exceptions are made for educational purposes like science or sex education.)

Around page 51, it specifically states that people associated with schools who give such material (graphic novels depicting masturbation, sex acts, etc.) TO STUDENTS can be charged with a class A misdemeanor. 

This includes teachers and librarians.

Specifically, it states a person affiliated with a public or private elementary or secondary school in an official capacity includes: 

"...an administrator, teacher, librarian, media center personnel, substitute teacher, teacher's assistant, student teacher, law enforcement officer, school board member, school bus driver, guidance counselor, coach, guest lecturer, guest speaker, or other non-school employee who is invited to present information to students by a teacher, administrator, or other school employee. Such term shall not include a student enrolled in the elementary or secondary school."

If it does become law, it is not yet clear what affect this may have for graphic novels in the libraries of Missouri schools. 

GRAPHIC NOVELS QUESTIONED BY PARENTS IN MISSOURI SCHOOLS

"Gender Queer: A Memoir," "Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic," and, "This One Summer" are among graphic novels that parents and teachers in Rockwood have formally challenged. They were not successful and those books remain in Rockwood school libraries.

Note:

A Virginia court recently ruled there is probable cause that "Gender Queer" is obscene for minors.

Also note:

Actually, the challenge for "Fun Home" was not accepted because records showed it in the library of the Individual Learning Center, which has been on pause for the last year or so. In other words, students aren't there, currently. But, they will be again in the near future. It was also rejected because, when staff looked for it, they couldn't find it. 

Dr. Shelley Willott told parents: "...we visited the building to see whether the book was actually there. It was not."

Typically, in those instances, a book would be listed as "lost" in Rockwood's library database. More than two months later, though, it is still listed in the ILC as "available." (We checked at the time of this writing, on June 6th.)

ANOTHER GRAPHIC NOVEL PARENTS ARE JUST NOW LEARNING ABOUT

This passed legislation came to our attention, despite little news coverage, because of ANOTHER graphic novel recently discovered in Rockwood: "Flamer." You can read about that book here: "Flamer," by Mike Curato.

All graphic novels mentioned in this post appear to meet the criteria for this new legislation. 

We will report any updates.