THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2307

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

 

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 today's internet 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 federal government requires all public schools and libraries receiving federal funds and provide internet access to use filters that block people from accessing pornography at those sites.  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 they are not unwillingly exposed to others nearby watching pornography in a state facility, and that state resources are not being utilized to obtain pornography.  By requiring that all state and state funded 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 and state funded facilities have internet computer and wireless access filters to block access to pornography sites.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§103D-    Internet filters.  (a)  All state and state funded facilities must have internet computer and wireless access filters that block access to sites that provide pornographic images, depictions, or materials.

     (b)  All state agencies shall add contract language and provisions to state procurement requirements that require suppliers of telecommunications, internet, broadband, and data communication services to provide the state with filters that block 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.  Chapter 103F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part IV to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§103F-    Internet filters.  (a)  All state and state funded facilities must have internet computer and wireless access filters that block access to sites that provide pornographic images, depictions, or materials.

     (b)  All state agencies shall add contract language and provisions to state procurement requirements that require suppliers of telecommunications, internet, broadband, and data communication services to provide the state with filters that block 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 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Internet; State Facilities; Filters

 

Description:

Requires that all state and state funded facilities have internet computer and wireless access filters to block access to pornography sites.  

 

 

 

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