HR 189

HR189 190740-1 By Representative Williams (JD) RFD: Rules First Read: 13-FEB-18 190740-1:n:01/30/2018:DSM/th LSA2018-564 URGING TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY PROVIDERS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC REGARDING ACCESS AND BLOCKAGE OF INAPPROPRIATE MATERIAL. WHEREAS, pornography, solicitations for illegal purposes, obscene material, and other inappropriate material are openly available on the Internet through communication devices readily accessible by anyone, including minors; and WHEREAS, harm inflicted by transmitting inappropriate material to minors is creating a public health crisis that includes detrimental effects such as emotional, mental, and medical illnesses; and WHEREAS, the public health hazard created by minors viewing inappropriate material on communication devices leads to a broad spectrum of individual problems, public health impacts, and societal harms; and WHEREAS, inexpensive and no-cost methods are available to filter or block the transmission of harmful information on devices that provide Internet access; these methods can be used by any individual desiring to control the information available to a minor; and WHEREAS, an on-going campaign by providers to inform consumers about the harm inflicted, particularly to minors, and how to filter or block harmful and inappropriate material would be a beneficial public service; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That we urge providers in the technology industry to inform the general public regarding the easy access of inappropriate material available on the Internet and to educate adults on methods to filter or block the transfer of inappropriate material on devices available for use by minors.