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Bills › 91st General Assembly

HF 521Died when the session ended · February 20, 2025

Relating to obscenity exemptions for public libraries and educational institutions

Sponsored by the House Education (companion To Sf 235 By Salmon) Committee, Rep. Helena Hayes (R)

Topics:Civil rightsK–12 educationBooks & libraries

Same legislation: SF 235, HF 274

Write your legislators about it

Also covers SF 235 and HF 274.

Official bill pageLobbyist declarationsOne-pager to print

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedFebruary 10, 2025
  2. Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 11, 2025
  3. Done: House committeeFebruary 18, 2025
  4. Stopped: Passes the HouseDied when the General Assembly ended
  5. Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
  6. Next: Passes the Senate
  7. Next: To the Governor
  8. Next: Signed into law

Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary Currently, schools and public libraries are allowed to use or display certain materials that might otherwise be considered obscene. This bill would remove that special protection for those institutions and programs involving minors.1

Read the official explanation

7, which relates to obscenity exemptions for public libraries and educational institutions.7 currently provides that nothing in Code chapter 728 (obscenity) prohibits the use of appropriate material for educational purposes in any accredited school, any public library, or in any educational program in which a minor is participating.7 further provides that Code chapter 728 does not prohibit the attendance of minors at an exhibition or display of art works or the use of any materials in any public library. 1 defines “obscene material”, which includes material the average person, taking the material as a whole and applying contemporary community standards with respect to what is suitable material for minors, would find appeals to the prurient interest and is patently offensive; and the material, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, scientific, political, or artistic value.

Why it matters. Public libraries, accredited schools, and educational programs involving minors would no longer have specific legal exemptions regarding the use of obscene materials. This change would remove the current protections that allow these institutions to use or display materials that meet the legal definition of obscenity.2

Full bill text3

1,147 written public comments to its subcommittee: February 25, 2025 (186), February 17, 2025 (961) · on the Legislature’s site

Iowa Code it changes

Repeals§728.7

How the Code works4

Lobbying

9 for · 16 against · 6 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Tried before

HF 2040Cleared committee90th GA

91st General Assembly

SF 235Cleared committeeSenate companionHF 274RenumberedHouse companionHF 521Cleared committeefrom HF 274

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.

Tried before

This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None got through a chamber.

  • HF 2040 Relating to obscenity exemptions for public libraries and educational institutions
    90th General Assembly · In committee · same title
    Cleared committee

Similar bills this General Assembly

  • SF 2119 Relating to obscenity exemptions for public libraries and educational institutions
    91st General Assembly · Subcommittee recommends passage
    Nearly identical

Matched by wording or an identical title.