{"id":2074962,"date":"2023-10-21T09:37:01","date_gmt":"2023-10-21T13:37:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lawmaker-pa-laws-not-about-banning-books-but-about-reinforcing-existing-law-to-protect-children\/"},"modified":"2023-10-21T09:40:54","modified_gmt":"2023-10-21T13:40:54","slug":"lawmaker-pa-laws-not-about-banning-books-but-about-reinforcing-existing-law-to-protect-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lawmaker-pa-laws-not-about-banning-books-but-about-reinforcing-existing-law-to-protect-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Lawmaker: PA Laws Aim to Protect Children, Not Ban Books"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Flawmaker-pa-laws-not-about-banning-books-but-about-reinforcing-existing-law-to-protect-children%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2074962&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>Pennsylvania Senate Committee Advances Bill Requiring \u2063Parental Consent for \u200cExplicit \u2064Content in Schools<\/h2>\n<p>The Pennsylvania Senate\u200d Education committee voted \u2064on Wednesday to move\u2063 forward\u2063 with \u200da bill \u200bthat would\u2063 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/aoc-cries-fascism-as-republicans-advance-parents-bill-of-rights\/\" title=\"AOC cries 'fascism' as Republicans advance parents bill of rights\">mandate parental consent<\/a> for children to access sexually explicit content \u2062in schools. Critics argue that this bill is \u2063essentially a &#8220;book ban&#8221; \u2064and part of a \u2063larger Republican assault on public education. However, supporters \u2063of the \u200bbill contend that it simply allows parents to\u2064 protect their children \u2063in a manner \u2063consistent with existing \u200claws on explicit content.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h3>Related Stories<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/parents-outraged-after-students-exposed-to-inappropriate-book-content-in-florida-schools-5498724?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><strong>Parents Outraged After Students Exposed to Inappropriate Book Content in Florida Schools<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\n      <br \/>\n      <span class=\"text-comp-caption\">10\/13\/2023<\/span>\n    <\/li>\n<li>\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/world\/bc-mla-questions-why-a-book-too-inappropriate-for-legislature-was-allowed-in-schools-5504656?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><strong>BC MLA Questions\u2064 Why a Book Too Inappropriate for Legislature Was \u200bAllowed in\u200c Schools<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\n      <br \/>\n      <span class=\"text-comp-caption\">10\/5\/2023<\/span>\n    <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The bill, known as Senate Bill 7, would \u200drequire schools to identify explicit content in their curricula, materials, and books. It\u2062 would establish an opt-in policy \u2063that\u200d notifies parents of such content, allows them \u2064to review the materials, and mandates their direct consent \u200bfor their children to access \u2064explicit \u2064content.<\/p>\n<p>This bill,\u200c introduced \u2062on\u200d April 20, is one of \u200btwo bills introduced in the\u2064 past six months aimed at safeguarding children\u2063 from sexually explicit content by requiring \u200cparental permission. The other bill, House Bill 1659, was introduced on \u2063September\u2064 5.<\/p>\n<p>Both \u200bbills have been referred to the education committee \u2064for further consideration. Senate Bill 7 will now proceed to the \u200bfull Senate for deliberation.<\/p>\n<h2>Corruption of Minors<\/h2>\n<p>State\u2063 Representative Stephenie Scialabba, a co-sponsor of House Bill 1659 and a member of the\u2064 Education Committee, emphasized that the bills do not seek to ban\u200c books but rather \u2062enforce\u200c existing obscenity laws. \u2062She stated, &#8220;We&#8217;re \u2064not saying ban books, burn books, get them off the shelves. What we&#8217;re saying is:\u2064 follow the law. You \u2064cannot\u200d let kids access this, at the very minimum, without parental consent.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Scialabba showcased explicit images from Pennsylvania high\u2064 schools, highlighting their \u2063pornographic \u200cnature and arguing\u200b that they\u2063 should not be \u2063accessible to students. She clarified that \u2064the bills aim to ensure parental control and\u200c consent regarding sexually\u2062 explicit content,\u2062 rather than banning books altogether.<\/p>\n<h2>&#8216;An \u200cAbsolute Proliferation&#8217; of Pornography In Schools<\/h2>\n<p>Scialabba\u2064 expressed concern over the\u2062 increasing \u2064presence \u2062of inappropriate content in schools, particularly explicit\u2063 depictions resembling child pornography. She stressed that such material has no place in \u200ceducational settings and should not be mistaken for\u200d legitimate educational resources.<\/p>\n<p>She presented examples of sexually explicit\u2063 books\u2064 found in school libraries and book fairs, \u200bemphasizing \u2063that parents are often \u200cunaware of their children&#8217;s\u2062 access to such content. Scialabba urged parents to become more involved and advocate for their\u200c right to protect their children from explicit material.<\/p>\n<h2>&#8216;Not a Left Versus Right Issue&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p>Scialabba clarified that the bills\u200d are not intended to be a partisan issue or an \u200battempt to \u200dban\u2064 books. \u200cShe emphasized that existing laws already restrict\u200d access to explicit content for adults and argued that\u2063 parental consent should be \u2063required for minors as \u200bwell. Scialabba called for common sense and parental involvement\u200b in addressing this issue.<\/p>\n<h2>The\u2063 Three \u2064R&#8217;s\u2014Plus Porn<\/h2>\n<p>Scialabba urged parents\u2062 to be proactive and engaged in their\u200b children&#8217;s education,\u200c emphasizing that schools should focus on academic \u200dsubjects \u200drather than sexual topics. She highlighted the importance \u200bof protecting children from \u2063explicit material, as exposure can desensitize them \u2064to predatory behaviors and contribute to the rise of child trafficking.<\/p>\n<p>Scialabba\u200b encouraged parents \u200cto voice\u200b their concerns to lawmakers, school boards, and superintendents, emphasizing the need \u2064for change and the preservation of children&#8217;s innocence.<\/p>\n<h2>Exposure Makes Children Vulnerable to Predators<\/h2>\n<p>Scialabba underscored \u200bthe negative impact of exposing children\u2062 to sexually explicit material, noting\u2063 the correlation between such exposure and \u2063the increase in child trafficking and sex trafficking cases. She stressed the importance\u2064 of education, mental health care, and parental involvement in addressing these\u200d issues.<\/p>\n<p>Scialabba concluded\u200d by expressing\u200c her\u200d unwavering \u2062commitment to protecting \u2063children and ensuring their safety in schools.<\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> \u2062 What \u2063incidents of exposure\u200d to sexually explicit material have been \u200creferenced\u2064 in \u2064the debate over Senate Bill\u2064 7 and House Bill 1659?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Ography.\u2063 She referenced specific \u2064incidents in which students were exposed to sexually explicit material without their\u200d parents&#8217; knowledge or consent.<\/p>\n<p>She argued that the\u200d availability of \u2064such content in schools had led to an &#8220;\u200cabsolute proliferation&#8221; of explicit\u200c material, putting children at risk of harm. Scialabba emphasized the importance of parental involvement and oversight in protecting children from exposure to explicit material.<\/p>\n<h2>Criticism and Opposition<\/h2>\n<p>Critics of \u2063Senate Bill 7 and House Bill 1659 argue that these measures are part of\u2064 a broader Republican agenda to undermine public education and limit students&#8217; exposure to diverse perspectives and ideas. They claim \u2063that the bills infringe upon academic freedom and restrict \u200ceducators&#8217; ability to teach critical subjects.<\/p>\n<p>Opponents also argue that labeling explicit \u200dcontent \u200das obscene and requiring parental consent limit students&#8217; \u200caccess to important\u200b educational resources that address topics \u2063such\u200d as sexuality, consent, and reproductive health,\u2062 which are crucial for their development and understanding.<\/p>\n<h2>Supporters&#8217; Perspective<\/h2>\n<p>Supporters of the bills argue that parental consent is \u200cnecessary to ensure that children&#8217;s exposure to explicit material aligns with their parents&#8217; values \u200dand beliefs. They maintain \u2064that\u200b it \u2063is the responsibility\u200b of parents, rather than\u2063 schools,\u2064 to guide discussions about sensitive topics.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, proponents argue that Senate Bill 7 and House Bill 1659 do not aim to ban books but rather prioritize parental involvement\u2062 in \u2064their children&#8217;s education. They contend\u2064 that giving parents the ability to review and\u200d choose which \u200cexplicit material\u2062 their children can access upholds their rights \u200cas primary guardians and caregivers.<\/p>\n<h2>Next Steps and the Future of the Bills<\/h2>\n<p>The advancement\u2063 of Senate\u2062 Bill \u20627 by the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee signals a major step forward for the legislation. \u200cHowever, the \u2063proposals still require approval from the full Senate and the House of Representatives before becoming law.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/brad-pitt-says-its-exhausting-to-have-to-constantly-chase-the-clint-eastwood-image-of-masculinity\/\" title=\"Brad Pitt Says \u201cIt\u2019s Exhausting\u201d to Have to Constantly Chase the \u201cClint Eastwood\u201d Image of Masculinity\">ongoing debate surrounding<\/a> these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lawmaker-pa-laws-not-about-banning-books-but-about-reinforcing-existing-law-to-protect-children\/\" title=\"Lawmaker: PA Laws Aim to Protect Children, Not Ban Books\">bills reflects contentious issues surrounding education<\/a>, parental rights, and the appropriate boundaries for explicit content in schools. Regardless of the \u200coutcome, the discussion will likely continue as stakeholders on both sides \u200dof the debate\u200d strive to ensure the \u200dbest interests of\u200b Pennsylvania students.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pennsylvania&#8217;s Senate Education committee approved a bill mandating parental consent for students to access &#8220;sexually explicit content&#8221; in schools. Critics argue it&#8217;s a GOP-led &#8220;book ban&#8221; and an assault on public education. Supporters claim it empowers parents to oversee their children&#8217;s education.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2481,"featured_media":2074963,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2074962","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2074962","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2481"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2074962"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2074962\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2074963"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2074962"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2074962"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2074962"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}