A new Indiana law that requires retailers to register with the state and pay a $250 fee before selling sexually explicit materials is being challenged in court. The American Civil Liberties Union claims it violates freedom of speech and freedom of the press.
Democratic state Rep. Terry Goodin wrote the law to protect communities with weak zoning ordinances that allow the porn industry to sneak in and hide its intent until it’s too late.
“They slip in under the cover of night," Goodin said. "They’re telling individuals that it’s going to be a grocery store or some other kind of store, and they’re opening up a pornography store. At that point, it’s too late to do anything about it.”
The law, which is set to take effect July 1, will keep the community informed, he said.
“The secretary of state’s office is going to notify the local authorities and tell those folks, 'Hey, this group’s coming your way,' " Goodin said. "That way, the local authorities can say, 'No.' ”
Curt Smith, president of the Indiana Family Institute, said lawmakers are protecting families.
“They give tools to local officials," he said, "who are accountable to their constituencies to try to restrain or at least retard this flood of pornography that’s coming.”
