Some Ohio educators believe a new bill would have a chilling effect on Ohio schools that would instill fear in faculty members and limit inclusivity.

If passed, House Bill 556 would mean librarians and certain teachers face felony charges if students are exposed to books considered to be "obscene," according to the bill language. 

However, the bill doesn't define what counts as "obscene," leaving it open to interpretation.

Ohio Education Association President Scott DiMauro points out that school districts already have policies to monitor books and ensure the reading is age-appropriate.

DiMauro said that makes educators think that the new bill is intentionally vague and is a politically motivated effort to censor material. 

"I think it's using fear to bring about censorship, and even if the state isn't explicitly censoring specific content, a lot of educators are going to self-censor out of fear that they're going to be subjected to criminal prosecution for just doing their jobs," he said, "Bills like this try to drive wedges and are used as an excuse to promote privatization and other anti-public education agendas and we just won't stand for that."

Dr. Mary Ann Stahr was a school librarian for decades and said there has been efforts by outside organizations nationwide to ban books with common identities reflected.

She said most books challenged relate to the LGBTQ-plus community and believes legislation like this could frighten faculty to avoid prosecution.

"They're going to be very, very careful of the books they put on the shelves in the books, perhaps they have students read in the classroom," she said, "And now, we've just attacked our intellectual freedom. We're looking at discrimination."

DiMauro said educators will be encouraging legislators to defeat the bill and would testify against it.