ALABAMA: GOP Bill Mandates Porn Blocker For All Web Devices, Criminal Charge To Sell Them Unblocked

AL.com reports:

A public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday on a bill that would require sellers of computers, cell phones and other devices that provide Internet access to have a filter to block pornography. Consumers who wanted to deactivate the filter would have to make a written request to the seller and pay a $20 fee that would go to the state to benefit crime victims and human trafficking victims.

The bill is by Rep. Jack Williams, R-Vestavia Hills, who has sponsored previous legislation to strengthen laws against human trafficking. Under Williams’ bill, devices would have filters that block child pornography, obscene material, sexual cyber-harassment and promotions of prostitution. A seller who sells a device without a filter to a minor would be guilty of a felony, while it would be a misdemeanor to sell a device without a filter to an adult.

A similar bill was proposed by a GOP state rep in South Carolina back in December. That bill, however, bears only a fine and no criminal charge for the seller. (Tipped by JMG reader JP)