Rhonda Miller
On Wednesday, February 10th, several organizations testified before the Senate Education Committee on Senate Bill 288 which would repeal Indiana’s obscenity exemption. Current Indiana law (IC: 35-49-3-4) exempts public schools and public libraries from prosecution for disseminating material harmful to minors.
Purple for Parents Indiana led the charge, along with American Family Association, Advance America and The Matthew XVIII Group, in supporting SB288 and the effort to protect children in Hoosier classrooms. Former Chief Deputy Attorney General, Aaron Negangard, also testified as a private citizen in support of the measure.
Purple for Parents Indiana provided several examples of the hard-core pornographic content that is being used and available to students. They also provided folders to the committee members of this material and were forbidden to read the graphic contents during testimony, the committee citing that the session would be livestreamed to classrooms and that the contents were “too inappropriate for school children” to watch.
When concerned Hoosiers cannot read to legislators the contents readily made available to students, it raises questions as to why there is an exception in the classroom.
According to IC 35-49-3-3, this same material is against the law within 500 feet of a church or school and cannot be accessible via visual, auditory or physical means… or it’s a crime.
During testimony, it became abundantly clear that those charged with educating our students strongly support the continuation of porn being used as a curriculum as well as continued accessibility of this material to students.
The Indiana Association of School Principals, the Indiana School Board Association, the Indiana Library Federation, the Indiana State Teachers Association and the American Federation of Teachers all opposed the measures that SB288 would put into place. It’s truly sad to see these organizations advocating against the protection of children.
At the time of this publication, the bill will proceed to the full Senate for 2nd reading scheduled for Monday, February 22nd followed by 3rd reading on Tuesday, February 23rd. By the time you read this edition, SB288 will have already been voted on. Pay close attention to which legislators oppose pornography for school children and which legislators oppose it.
Additionally, Purple for Parents Indiana is strongly recommending Hoosier parents check what your children are being given at school, and let them know if what you find is obscene material. You can contact Purple for Parents Indiana on Facebook and Telegram.
I am praying for this smut to be taken out of our schools.