H-3197.3  _______________________________________________

 

                          HOUSE BILL 2389

          _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington      56th Legislature     2000 Regular Session

 

By Representatives O'Brien, Clements, Anderson, D. Sommers, Kastama, Talcott, Kagi, Ballasiotes, Carlson, Carrell, Rockefeller, Dunn, Benson, McDonald, Lantz, Bush and Ruderman

 

Read first time 01/12/2000.  Referred to Committee on Education.

Controlling a minor's access to obscene materials on a public access computer.


    AN ACT Relating to public access computers; adding a new section to chapter 28A.150 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 27.12 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 28A.150 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) For the purposes of this section, a public access computer is any computer that is:

    (a) Located in a public school;

    (b) Frequently or regularly used by a minor; and

    (c) Connected to any computer communication system.

    (2) A public school that provides a public access computer shall do one or more of the following:

    (a) Equip the computer with software that will limit a minor's ability to gain access to obscene materials;

    (b) Purchase internet connectivity from an internet service provider that provides filter services to limit access to obscene materials;

    (c) By January 1, 2001, develop and implement a policy that establishes measures to restrict a minor from gaining computer access to obscene materials; or

    (d) Use reasonable efforts to limit a minor's ability to gain access to obscene materials.

    (3) A public school that complies with this section is not liable for damages that may arise from a minor gaining access to obscene materials through the use of a public access computer that is owned or controlled by the public school.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 27.12 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) For the purposes of this section, a public access computer is any computer that is:

    (a) Located in a public library;

    (b) Frequently or regularly used by a minor; and

    (c) Connected to any computer communication system.

    (2) A public library that provides a public access computer shall do one or more of the following:

    (a) Equip the computer with software that will limit a minor's ability to gain access to obscene materials;

    (b) Purchase internet connectivity from an internet service provider that provides filter services to limit access to obscene materials;

    (c) By January 1, 2001, develop and implement a policy that establishes measures to restrict a minor from gaining computer access to obscene materials; or

    (d) Use reasonable efforts to limit a minor's ability to gain access to obscene materials.

    (3) A public library that complies with this section is not liable for damages that may arise from a minor gaining access to obscene materials through the use of a public access computer that is owned or controlled by the public library.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3.  This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.

 


                            --- END ---