OH HB556

Amends Ohio Revised Code sections 2907.32 and 2907.35 to exclude school librarians and non-health/biology teachers from the affirmative defense to pandering obscenity charges.

Eliminates the "proper interest" defense for school librarians and teachers who are not health or biology teachers when charged with creating, distributing, or possessing obscene material.

Health and biology teachers, faculty members at higher education institutions, and non-school librarians retain the affirmative defense for material disseminated for bona fide educational, scientific, medical, religious, governmental, or judicial purposes.

Pandering obscenity remains a felony of the fifth degree, or fourth degree if the offender has a prior conviction under the same or related sections.

Applies to librarians employed by school districts, public schools, chartered nonpublic schools, and school district public libraries.