Bismarck, North Dakota – The final step needed to protect children from accessing obscene materials in children’s libraries was blocked by Gov. Kelly Armstrong yesterday. The Governor used his veto pen to disregard the protection of minors and jeopardize their safety.  We must have policies and technology protection measures to prevent access to pornography and child sexual abuse material in children’s libraries.

Concerned Women for America of North Dakota State Director Linda Thorson has this to say concerning the veto:

“Gov. Armstrong is misguided to say this legislation is censorship; the bill simply requires school libraries to move material to ‘an area not easily accessible to minors.’  SB 2307 expands North Dakota’s prohibition on ‘explicit sexual material’ in children’s sections of public libraries to school districts.  It also requires libraries to have safeguards for online databases to prevent K-12 students from accessing certain online content.    

“We call on the state legislature to act today to override the Governor’s veto on SB 2307. Every school library should be required to have safety policies to protect children from access to obscene materials. It is a matter of standing up to protect minor-aged sons and daughters from materials found harmful to their well-being.”