NEW ORLEANS — “Let me be clear so that there is zero confusion. Nowhere in this report do we call for the censoring or banning of books.”
That’s the promise Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry made as he introduced his “Protecting Innocence” report on Tuesday.
That report became the inspiration behind a bill filed by Louisiana Senator Heather Cloud that would restrict the books children and teens can check out from public libraries.
“It requires that each public library implement a policy that allows a parent to limit the access of a minor, just like Netflix and just like the video games that our kids play,” Cloud (R- Ville Platte) said.
Specifically, her legislation calls for libraries to create a system where when someone under the age of 18 gets a library card, their parent or guardian will decide whether they can check out sexually explicit material.
The bill features a list of sexual acts meant to set that standard and can be read in full here.
When asked if books with LGBTQ themes would be considered inappropriate, Landry said that was up for debate, but not the purpose of this legislation.
“I would say that this is certainly a debate,” Landry said. “If you go through our report, again, that’s not the issue we’re here to discuss today.”
The sudden focus on restricting books in libraries and schools has been a trend for GOP politicians across the country.
Brandon Davis, an assistant professor of political science at Tulane University, calls this the nationalization of politics – where local politicians focus on national issues to rile up their base.
“These issues are mostly cultural issues,” Davis said. “And, you know, there may be some inkling of concern about some of these issues, but for the most part, they are mostly symbolic.”
One of the bill’s opponents, Rep. Mandie Landry (D-New Orleans), agrees.
“I think it’s actually very strategic of them to make it maybe a little less absurd or a little less extreme than other states,” Rep. Landry said. “Because, remember, we have legislative and gubernatorial elections this year.”
She says that the bill is symbolic at best, but could be the start of an attack on the gay community or civil rights.
“They had anti-abortion measures 50 years ago started with protecting women and partial birth abortion,” Rep. Landry said. “And the idea was to chip away. And that's what's happening here.”
But with the legislation filed, the Attorney General maintains that this is only about giving parents the tools to protect their children.
To view the “Protecting Innocence” report, click here.
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