HCS HB 1397 -- COMPUTER SPYWARE

SPONSOR:  Pratt

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Judiciary
by a vote of 13 to 0.

This substitute establishes the Consumer Protection Against
Computer Spyware Act making it illegal for an unauthorized user
to intentionally modify the settings of a computer belonging to a
consumer, collect personally identifiable information from the
computer, prevent an authorized user's reasonable efforts to
block the installation of or disable installed software, remove
or disable security software installed on the computer, or take
control of the consumer's computer by transmitted commercial
electronic mail or a computer virus from the consumer's computer.
The substitute also makes it a crime for anyone to assist or
conspire with another to violate the provisions of the bill.  Any
violation will be a class B misdemeanor.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and
FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will protect both
commercial entities and individuals from computer spyware and
will provide another tool for law enforcement to protect
consumers.  The bill also allows businesses to continue selling
spyware protection software.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Pratt; and Bill
Shoemeyer.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Alex Curchin, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:43 am