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http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/11-30-2004/0002555444&EDATE=

PA Governor Rendell Signs Bills

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- PA Governor Edward G. Rendell today signed the following bills into law:

House Bill 2262, sponsored by Rep. Allan Egolf (R-Franklin/Perry), establishes the Child Internet Protection Act. It provides that each school board and the governing body of each public library establish an acceptable use policy for users of the Internet in schools and libraries. The aim is to prevent students and patrons from viewing, sending or receiving electronic images that are obscene, harmful to minors, or contain child pornography. Each school board and library is to file a copy of the policy with the Secretary of Education, who is responsible for review of the policies and enforcement of the Act. The library may disable any software that has been installed to block the images on request of an adult or minor who has written parental consent, to enable that person to conduct bona fide research or for other lawful purposes.

The bill passed the House, 182-10, and was approved in the Senate, 43-3, where it was amended. It passed the House on concurrence, 190-6. b>Acceptable use policies are to be adopted within 180 days of the effective date of this act and filed with the Secretary within 200 days of the act. The act is effective immediately.

CONTACT: Brandi N. Hunter
717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Web Site: http://www.state.pa.us