Iowa Senate leader: Jail time for teachers over books 'not a good idea'

DES MOINES — Teachers should not have to worry about jail time for distributing books that some people might consider vulgar, Republican Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver said Friday.

Whitver made the comment while appearing on this weekend’s episode of “Iowa Press” on Iowa PBS.

Whitver was asked about comments made before the legislative session by two Senate Republicans — Sens. Jake Chapman of Adel and Brad Zaun of Urbandale — who said they felt educators should face jail time for distributing literature that they deemed vulgar or obscene.

When asked about the possibility of criminal penalties for teachers, Whitver on Friday appeared to dismiss the idea.

“I think charging anyone with felonies for these types of things, I don’t think is a good idea,” he said. Whitver said no legislation has been proposed in the Senate that would criminalize the distribution of certain literature in schools.

Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/iowa-senate-leader-jail-time-for-teachers-over-books-not-a-good-idea/
(Cedar Rapids Gazette)