HCS SS SB 665 -- INTERNET

SPONSOR:  Kenney (Hoppe)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Local
Government and Related Matters by a vote of 14 to 0.

This substitute requires elementary and secondary public schools
and public libraries that provide access to the Internet to
either use filtering software or restrict minors' access to the
Internet to limit access to materials that are pornographic.

Any public school employee, public library employee, officer or
trustee, or Internet service provider who complies with this law
will not be liable if a minor gains access to pornographic
material through the use of the library's computer.  Any person
violating this law is guilty of a misdemeanor.

The substitute also creates the crime of enticement of a child
over the Internet.  A person commits the crime by using the
Internet to seduce, solicit, coax, lure, or entice a person less
than 15 years of age by word, action, or communication for the
purpose of engaging in sexual conduct.  A peace officer
masquerading as a minor does not have an affirmative defense to
prosecution for a violation of this law.  Attempting to entice a
child is a class D felony.  Enticement of a child is a class C
felony unless the person has previously pled guilty to or been
found guilty of violating this law, in which case it is a class B
felony.

The substitute also creates the Missouri Regional Computer
Forensics Laboratory under the control of the Director of the
Department of Public Safety.  The laboratory will combine local,
state, and federal resources to research and combat computer and
Internet-related crimes.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of
$24,130 to less than $124,130 in FY 2003, $26,544 to less than
$124,130 in FY 2004, and $27,200 to less than $127,200 in FY
2005.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will help protect
children.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Kenney; Missouri Library
Association; Central Missouri State University; Secretary of
State's Office; and School Librarians Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Steve Bauer, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:04 am