A federal judge has struck down key parts of an Arkansas law that would have allowed criminal charges against librarians and booksellers for providing so-called “harmful” materials to minors.

A federal judge has struck down key parts of an Arkansas law that would have allowed criminal charges against librarians and booksellers for providing so-called “harmful” materials to minors.

The US District Court for the Western District of Arkansas today declared Arkansas Act 372 unconstitutional in an opinon indicating that the law is overbroad and void for vagueness, and permanently enjoined its enforcement.

A federal judge on Monday permanently blocked portions of Arkansas’ law that would have changed how librarians handle challenged materials and given elected officials the final say over what books are available to the public.

Section 1 of Act 372 sought to criminalize those working at a library or bookstore in Arkansas for “furnishing a harmful item to a minor.”

U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Brooks on Monday (Dec. 23) issued an order striking down key provisions in Act 372, an attempt by the Arkansas Legislature to censor library