RESTRICT INTERNET ACCESS - S.B. 936: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 936 (as introduced 1-25-00)
Sponsor: Senator Mike Rogers
Committee: Judiciary
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Library Privacy Act to require that libraries restrict minors' access to the Internet.
Public Act 37 of 1999 (House Bill 4191) amended the Act to specify that, if a library offers use of the Internet or a computer or computer program, network, or system to the public, its governing body may authorize or require the library to restrict access to minors. Under those provisions, a library may restrict access by making available to persons of any age one or more terminals that are restricted from receiving obscene or sexually explicit matter that is harmful to minors, and by reserving one or more terminals that are not restricted from receiving any material for persons who are at least 18 years old or minors accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The bill, instead, would require that a library restrict access by minors to obscene matter or sexually explicit matter that was harmful to minors by doing one or more of the following:
-- Adopting the restrictions currently permitted under the Act (i.e., the restrictions added by Public Act 37, as described above).
-- Requiring an adult library employee to monitor the terminals being used by minors.
-- Arranging the terminals in a configuration that allows a library staff employee to view the terminals used by minors at all times.
-- Providing an access system that would prevent a minor from viewing obscene matter or sexually explicit matter that was harmful to minors.
MCL 397.606 - Legislative Analyst: P. Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have an indeterminate impact on local units that would depend on the method individual libraries used to restrict access to certain matter.
- Fiscal Analyst: B. BowermanS9900\s936sa
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.