Child Online Protection Act
Introduced in House
Legislation design to protect children from indecent material was introduced in the House of Representatives April 30. The Child Online Protection Act would require commercial distributors to remove free access to adult material or require credit-card certifications, adult access codes, or pin numbers for viewing.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Michael G. Oxley (R-Ohio) and James Greenwood (R-Pa.), is the House companion to one sponsored by Sen. Dan Coates (R-Ind.), which was approved March 12 by the Senate Commerce Committee. Sponsors say the measures are crafted using the "harmful to minors" standard to avoid the constitutional pitfalls that sank the Communications Decency Act.
"In order for electronic learning and commerce to prosper, the Internet must be a clean and safe place for young minds," said Oxley. Greenwood added, "To realize the full potential of the Internet, parents must be assured that a barrier to inappropriate material exists in their absence."
Posted May 4, 1998.
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