How would you like to be a high school English teacher in Kansas?
The House Federal and State Affairs Committee has recommended approval of House Bill 2200, which would limit a legal protection for elementary and secondary teachers from laws governing obscene materials. College and university instructors and professors would retain the protection.
Supporters of the bill said there is potential harm to minors in being exposed to obscenity or pornography in novels, plays, books and films.
“The practical effect of this defense is that materials that would be illegal if sold at a porn shop may be legal if displayed to a kindergarten class,” said Rep. Lance Kinzer, R-Olathe, who sought the legislation.
But State Board of Education Chairman Bill Wagnon, D-Topeka, whose district includes Lawrence, opposed the bill, saying local school districts — not the Legislature — should handle any conflict about literature.
“We need to protect the classroom from those kind of intrusions,” Wagnon said.
Committee member Rep. Ann Mah, D-Topeka, said the bill was a setup for legal action.
“This bill is not about stopping nefarious teachers. This bill is about giving nefarious district attorneys a tool to bring charges against English teachers,” Mah said.
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