Teachers no longer would be exempt from criminal charges for showing students materials deemed to be harmful to minors under a bill passed by the Kansas Senate.

The Senate’s vote Wednesday was 26-14.

Teachers could be charged for any materials thought to be too sexual or too profane for minors under the proposal. Critics say it could cover sex education materials and even some classical literature and would have a chilling effect on educators wary of treading too close to the line.

Supporters say the bill would protect children and that teachers should not be allowed to show materials that would draw penalties in other contexts. They also said the fears of opponents are overblown.

The bill moves to the House for debate.