HR 3177 IH.
Safe Schools Internet Act of 1998.
Source: Library of Congress.

HR 3177 IH

105th CONGRESS

2d Session

To require the installation of a system for filtering or blocking matter on the Internet on computers in schools and libraries with Internet access, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 11, 1998

Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce

To require the installation of a system for filtering or blocking matter on the Internet on computers in schools and libraries with Internet access, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Safe Schools Internet Act of 1998'.

SEC. 2. NO UNIVERSAL SERVICE FOR SCHOOLS OR LIBRARIES THAT FAIL TO IMPLEMENT A FILTERING OR BLOCKING SYSTEM FOR COMPUTERS WITH INTERNET ACCESS.

(a) IN GENERAL- Section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following:

`(l) IMPLEMENTATION OF A FILTERING OR BLOCKING SYSTEM-

`(1) IN GENERAL- No services may be provided under subsection (h)(1)(B) to any elementary or secondary school, or any library, unless it provides the certification required by paragraph (2) or (3), respectively.

`(2) CERTIFICATION FOR SCHOOLS- Before receiving universal service assistance under subsection (h)(1)(B), an elementary or secondary school (or the school board or other authority with responsibility for administration of that school) shall certify to the Commission that it has--

`(A) selected a system for computers with Internet access to filter or block matter deemed to be inappropriate for minors; and

`(B) installed, or will install as soon as it obtains computers with Internet access, a system to filter or block such matter.

`(3) CERTIFICATION FOR LIBRARIES- Before receiving universal service assistance under subsection (h)(1)(B), a library that has a computer with Internet access shall certify to the Commission that, on one or more of its computers with Internet access, it employs a system to filter or block matter deemed to be inappropriate for minors. If a library that makes a certification under this paragraph changes the system it employs or ceases to employ any such system, it shall notify the Commission within 10 days after implementing the change or ceasing to employ the system.

`(4) LOCAL DETERMINATION OF CONTENT- For purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3), the determination of what matter is inappropriate for minors shall be made by the school, school board, library or other authority responsible for making the required certification. No agency or instrumentality of the United States Government may--

`(A) establish criteria for making that determination;

`(B) review the determination made by the certifying school, school board, library, or other authority; or

`(C) consider the criteria employed by the certifying school, school board, library, or other authority in the administration of subsection (h)(1)(B).'.

(b) CONFORMING CHANGE- Section 254(h)(1)(B) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254(h)(1)(B)) is amended by striking `All telecommunications' and inserting `Except as provided by subsection (l), all telecommunications'.