The Montana House Judiciary Committee is considering legislation that would help keep obscenity out of the hands of minors, the Great Falls Tribune reported.
Dallas Erickson, founder of Montana Citizens for Decency Through Law, testified in favor of the measure that would allow counties, cities and towns to enact ordinances that are stricter than state law.
"Montana is arguably the most permissive state in the nation when it comes to obscenity and harmful-to-minors material," he said. "The Legislature failed to protect our children. As a result we have to work on a local basis."
Under state law, Erickson said, a business is prohibited from distributing porn to children but a private individual is not.
Daniel Weiss, senior analyst for media and sexuality for Focus on the Family Action, praised lawmakers for taking such a step.
"This is a very good measure that will allow each community to establish and enforce its own obscenity standards," he said. "With very little law enforcement occurring at the federal level, it is more incumbent upon local officials to protect the children under their care."
