North Carolina Senate approves ‘obscenity bill’

The North Carolina state Senate approved a new bill this week that would increase the penalty for people convicted of intentionally distributing obscene materials.

Senate Bill 579 passed the state Senate on Monday and now goes to the North Carolina House. The bill says “a violation ... committed knowingly in the presence of an individual under 18 years of age is a Class H felony.”

A news release about the bill from the state’s Republican Party this week says the effort is aimed at “addressing some of the more disturbing trends we’ve seen in recent years,” according to state Sen. Buck Newton.

SEE MORE: NC tied for most protests and threats against drag events, advocacy group says

Newton added that the text could apply to some drag shows that have garnered controversy, including a performance at Forsyth Technical Community College that had high schoolers in attendance.

According to the Associated Press, opponents of the bill raised concerns that it was unfairly targeting respectable drag events.

Under the current law, the penalty would be probation, a fine, or community service. The bill, if signed into law, would mean a first offense could result in jail time, the Associated Press reports.

(WATCH: North Carolina bill filed to restrict public drag performances)