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Utah Legislature Passes Internet Filtering BillThe Utah state legislature has overwhelmingly approved a bill that will cut state funds from libraries that don’t install Internet filters on all public computers. The House passed H.B. 341 February 24 by a margin of 69–2, and the Senate approved the same bill 23–2 March 2, the St. George Spectrum reported March 3. The bill—which amends a 2000 state law requiring libraries to set policies to restrict access by minors to Internet sites that contain obscene material—now goes to Gov. Olene Walker. “This is democracy at work,” said the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Mike Noel (R-Kanab), crediting the efforts of Cedar City resident Ashley Kartchner to bring the issue before the legislature. He stressed that the bill’s goal was not censorship: “What adults do in their own home, it’s their stinking business. This bill is only for our public libraries, which parents have a right or expectation will not expose something detrimental to their children.” “People have the right to access pornography as adults, even though I don’t like it,” said Kartchner. “It’s not fair for our kids to be constantly bombarded by this. There comes a point where you need to take a stand.” Sen. Karen Hale (D-Salt Lake City) pointed out that installing filters in the Salt Lake City system alone would cost $200,000, but she was unable to amend the bill to delay implementation from July 1 until November 30 to allow libraries more time to get the filters installed, the Associated Press reported March 3. Posted March 5, 2004. |
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