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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A group of Idaho lawmakers has signed off on a proposal declaring pornography a public health risk.
The House State Affairs Committee advanced the resolution on Friday. The bill now goes to the House floor for debate.
The resolution does not call for a ban but rather urges state agencies and local officials to recognize the need for education, research and possible policy changes to protect Idahoans — particularly teenagers — from pornography.
After approving the resolution, however, that same panel failed to pass a separate measure requiring public libraries in Idaho to install blockers on their wireless networks to prevent people from viewing obscene content in libraries.
Supporters said the measure would have a minimum financial impact on libraries. Yet librarians who testified countered the proposal was government overreach and would be costly for libraries to implement.
In April 2016, Utah became the first state in the country to declare pornography a public health crisis. Utah state leaders called on the industry and businesses to help keep "evil, degrading, addictive" materials away from children.
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