Idaho House Committee advances two Bills amending library ‘harmful materials’ law

Two bills that would amend the state’s “harmful materials” library law are heading to the full House.

The House State Affairs Committee passed the bills Thursday. 

Sponsored by Rep. Jaron Crane, R-Nampa, and backed by Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s office, the bills would align Idaho’s law with recent federal court rulings. The Children’s School and Library Protection Act, which Idaho lawmakers enacted in 2024, imposes penalties on libraries and schools that don’t restrict material deemed  “harmful” to minors.