Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft is taking action after saying he wants to protect his kids from obscene material.
Ashcroft submitted a proposed rule Monday which would require libraries that receive state funding to take precautions to ensure children are not exposed to obscene materials.
The rule says that state funds should not be used to purchase books or other materials that appeal to the "prurient interest of any minor" and calls for "age-appropriate" content, but does not specify what that looks like. It also allows parents to challenge any material that they deem age-inappropriate.
The rule will be published on November 15th, opening a 30-day public comment period. Ashcroft's proposal follows complaints by some parents of sexually explicit books in school libraries.
Many have criticized rules like these, including a law that recently went into effect in Missouri which bans books that contain any visual depictions of sexual acts from being in school libraries. Advocates say the laws are book bans that target marginalized communities that need greater representation.
The Missouri State Library, which supports libraries around the state, is under the umbrella of the Secretary of State's Office.
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