Iowa Bill Threatens Librarians with Criminal Charges Over Minors' Access to Explicit Material

Proposed legislation would allow parents to sue libraries and librarians over access to sexually explicit content.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A bill advancing in the Iowa House would make it illegal for public libraries to allow anyone under 18 to access books or other materials deemed harmful to minors due to sexual content, unless the parent provides written consent. The bill would give parents the right to sue a public library and any librarian who provides such materials to a minor, and the librarian could face criminal charges and up to a year in prison for a first offense.

Why it matters

The proposed legislation has sparked concerns from librarians and local government officials, who argue it could have a chilling effect on public libraries, deter people from serving on library boards or working as librarians, and expose taxpayers to costly litigation.

The details

The bill was drafted after a 13-year-old checked out a book from the Sioux Center library last summer that had adult themes. Supporters of the bill, like Terri Hubbard of the Sioux Center Public Library's Board of Trustees, argue that minors should not have unrestricted access to sexually explicit materials in public libraries. However, librarians and local government representatives warn that the bill could transform libraries into "sites of surveillance" and create confusion and liability concerns that could make it difficult for libraries to operate.

  • The bill is currently advancing in the Iowa House.
  • A House subcommittee voted to advance the bill to the House Judiciary Committee early this morning.

The players

Terri Hubbard

A member of the Sioux Center Public Library's Board of Trustees who testified in support of the bill.

Patty Alexander

A leader in the Warren County Moms for Liberty Chapter who argued that public libraries should be a safe space for Iowa families.

Sam Helmick

A librarian in Iowa City, past president of the Iowa Library Association, and the current president of the American Library Association, who testified against the bill.

Leslie Noble

The assistant director of the Urbandale Public Library and a member of the Iowa Library Association's government affairs committee, who said the bill will create confusion and liability concerns.

Chelsea Hoye

A lobbyist for the Iowa League of Cities, who said the risk of litigation could be crippling for small town libraries.

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What they’re saying

“Across Iowa, minors have unrestricted access in public libraries to materials containing graphic depictions of sexual activity and sexual violence. We would not consider that developmentally neutral in any other public setting.”

— Terri Hubbard, Member of the Sioux Center Public Library's Board of Trustees (radioiowa.com)

“It seeks to transform our sanctuaries of literacy and learning into sites of surveillance. It takes the librarian, often a volunteer, and threatens them with the cold iron of criminal penalties and the crushing weight of financial ruin not only for themselves, but also for their small community.”

— Sam Helmick, Librarian in Iowa City, past president of the Iowa Library Association, and current president of the American Library Association (radioiowa.com)

“The risk of criminal and civil liability will deter individuals from serving their communities on library boards or working in libraries. Municipal insurance coverage could become more expensive or unavailable if insurers view these new liabilities as unmanageable.”

— Leslie Noble, Assistant director of the Urbandale Public Library and member of the Iowa Library Association's government affairs committee (radioiowa.com)

“This legislation waives governmental immunity and makes cities vicariously liable for library decisions, exposing taxpayers to statutory damages up to $10,000 per item.”

— Chelsea Hoye, Lobbyist for the Iowa League of Cities (radioiowa.com)

What’s next

The bill will next be considered by the House Judiciary Committee.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation highlights the ongoing debate over balancing access to information in public libraries with concerns about protecting minors from sexually explicit content. The potential criminal and financial penalties for librarians could have a chilling effect on public libraries and their ability to serve their communities.