THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2307

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO STATE PROCUREMENT OF WIFI AND INTERNET SERVICES.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the internet of today is full of pornographic content.  A simple web search leads to a plethora of results to both free and paid websites.  While non-violent pornography exists, it is not the norm.  Pornography often involves women or children being coerced or treated brutally during sexual intercourse.  Both psychological and sociological theories suggest that violence is the result of learned behavior, and frequent viewing of materials depicting sexual violence against women or children could in fact lead some to believe this behavior is acceptable thereby perpetuating the violence.

     The legislature also finds that the Children's Internet Protection Act requires all public schools and libraries that provide internet access and receive federal funds to use filters, which restrict access pornographic content.  Technological advances now allow people to access the internet via WiFi on their personal portable devices.  Consequently, state facilities that provide free WiFi are also providing unfettered access to pornography at taxpayer expense.

     The legislature further finds that the State has a legitimate interest in protecting children and preserving our family-friendly tourist reputation by ensuring children are not unwillingly exposed to others nearby watching pornography in a state public office or other public facility, and that state resources are not being utilized to obtain pornography.  By requiring that all state offices and public facilities have internet computer and wireless access filters, the State is not interfering with free speech.  The State is simply ensuring that when the State is a customer and purchasing internet access or providing state resources for internet access, that it is not providing access to pornography.

     The purpose of this Act is to require that all state offices and public facilities have internet computer and wireless access filters to restrict access to pornography sites.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 27, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part VII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§27-    Internet filters.  (a)  All state offices and public facilities, except those of the department of the attorney general and where exceptions are consistent with the state office's or public facility's written internet policy, shall have internet computer and wireless access filters that restrict access to sites that provide pornographic images, depictions, or materials; provided that this section shall not apply to state-owned living quarters including public housing and dormitories; provided further that the department of the attorney general may approve an exemption for good cause shown.

     (b)  All state agencies, except the department of the attorney general, shall add provisions to state procurement contracts that require vendors and suppliers of telecommunications, internet, broadband, and data communication services to provide filters that restrict access to sites that provide pornographic images, depictions, or materials.

     (c)  For purposes of this section, "pornographic" shall have the same meaning as in section 712-1210."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

 

Report Title:

Internet; State Facilities; Filters

 

Description:

Requires that all state and state funded facilities have internet computer and wireless access filters to restrict access to pornography sites.  Exempts state-owned housing and dormitories.  (SD2)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.