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By a 15-to-0 vote, the House Labor-HHS-Education Funding Subcommittee approved an amendment June 23 that would require public schools and libraries that receive any federal funds for the acquisition or operation of computers to install filtering software.
The amendment, offered by Rep. Ernest Istook Jr. (R-Okla.), provides for the filter to be turned off when used by an adult or "to permit a minor to have access to information that is not obscene or otherwise unprotected by the Constitution."
ALA's Washington Office reports that the amendment was offered with practically no advance notice, and that most members present seemed quite willing and even eager to vote for its intent.
The full House Appropriations Committee will meet on the subcommittee recommendations when it returns from the July 4th recess on July 13. The Washington Office points out that historically the full committee rarely changes what the subcommittee has approved.
Posted June 29, 1998.
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