Internet Screening in Libraries Act
Here is a brief introduction to the Internet Screening in Public Libraries Act, along with amendments proposed for its passage:
-Provides that each public library must have a technology protection measure to prevent the display on a public computer of any visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography or harmful to minors.-Authorizes enforcement by the Attorney General or an individual.
-Provides that each public library must annually certify, under penalty of perjury, its compliance with this Act.
-Allows a public library to disable the technology protection measure for an adult engaged in legitimate research or some other lawful purpose.
-Amends the State Finance Act to create the Internet Screening in Public Libraries Fund. Fines under the Act are to be deposited into the Fund. Amounts in the Fund are to be used by the State Librarian, subject to appropriation, to implement and administer the Act.
-House Amendment No. 1-Makes changes to the requirements for the technology protection measures on public computers in the library. Provides that those measures, in addition to protecting both adults and minors from visual depictions that are obscene or child pornography, must also protect adults and minors from visual depictions that are harmful to minors.
-House Amendment No. 2-Provides that the Internet safety policy must provide for the disablement of the technology protection measure by an employee of the public library upon the request of a minor to use the computer for legitimate research or some other lawful purpose if that minor is adequately supervised for the duration of the minor's use of the computer by an individual who is 21 years of age or older.
-House Amendment No. 3-Provides that a depiction is "harmful to minors" if it meets all of the specified criteria. Deletes a provision that the annual attestation by an administrative unit concerning compliance with the Act must be made under the penalty of perjury.
-House Amendment No. 5-In the Internet Screening in Public Libraries Act, deletes the provisions authorizing the enforcement of the Act by the Attorney General or by an individual. Amends the Illinois Library System Act. Provides that, to receive grants from the State Librarian under the Act, a public library must be in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Internet Screening in Public Libraries Act and the administrative unit in whose jurisdiction the library is located must have submitted the annual attestation, as required under that Act.
