Anne Dauphinais

HARTFORD – Republican legislators on the General Assembly’s Committee on Children gathered on Wednesday to express their concerns over proposed legislation that fails to protect children from inappropriate content found in library books. The Ranking Members of the committee, State Senator Henri Martin (R-31) and State Representative Anne Dauphinais (R-44), along with additional committee members sat through a nine-hour long public hearing where much attention was focused on a proposal put forward by majority Democrats.

S.B. No. 1271- An Act Concerning School & Public Libraries, focuses on reviewing library materials and policy. However, Republican lawmakers feel more needs to be done and have requested that the bill protect school-aged children from accessing potentially harmful materials that is currently found in some school libraries across Connecticut.

“We do not support getting pornographic, sexually explicit material into the hands of young children,” Sen. Martin said. “We simply want to make sure that the reading material that is given to young children is age appropriate in our public-school libraries. Our concern is age-inappropriate content in public school libraries, and we will continue to speak out in support of parental rights and protecting children.”

“During the public hearing, supporters of S.B. 1271 testified that they didn’t think pornographic, X-rated material and/or graphics, and drawings are currently or should be in school libraries,” said Rep. Dauphinais. “We have parents across the state that have reported otherwise. One thing is clear – the State wants to interfere with the local decisions of parents and their boards of education. Many parents are upset with the mandated 3-year moratorium and the immunity it gives to librarians with regard to incoming complaint/concerns. We want parents and local board of educations to decide without limitations. This bill mandates a policy and outlines what it should be.”

Additionally, both Representatives Dauphinais and Mastrofrancesco, along with parents expressed concerns over graphic material with pornography and sexually explicit conduct in the books. Joining the legislators was Dr. Steven Ward and Mona Colwell, who both stand in firm opposition to these graphic books that are available in some school libraries.

“Parents have the right to know that their children’s school libraries are safe places for age-appropriate learning that is focused on core subjects that will help them succeed in life, not stocked with sexually explicit books that are far too young for them,” said Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco. “It is up to a parent to choose the right time to talk with their children about sensitive subjects – those critical moments should not occur by chance, without parental guidance, when a child finds this material on a bookshelf. Parents cannot be with their children each day in school libraries, and my colleagues and I will continue to do all we can to prevent that kind of material from reaching our students.”

The 2025 Connecticut Legislative Session adjourns on June 4th.

To view the press conference, click here.