H.B. 854 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 854
By: West, George "Buddy"
Regulated Industries
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, parents cannot supervise how their children use the Internet
outside the home, in schools and libraries. HB854 will help ensure our
Texas libraries and schools take an active role to implement an internet
safety policy to protect our children from obscene material. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

Section 1 amends Chapter 32 of the Education Code to add Subchapter D,
which includes Sections 32.151 and 32.152. Section 32.151 adds a
definition for "internet safety policy" and "obscene." Section 32.152,
dealing with limitations on certain funds, states the following: 
A public school that provides a computer used to access the Internet is
not eligible for a loan or grant under Subchapter C, Chapter 57, Utilities
Code (distant learning through video, data, voice, or electronic
information) unless the school adopts and implements an Internet safety
policy.  
"Internet safety policy" means a policy that addresses: (A) measures
designed to restrict access by minors to obscene material on the Internet;
(B) the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat
rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications; (C)
unauthorized access and other unlawful activities by minors on-line; and
(D) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal
identification information regarding minors. 

Section 2 amends Subchapter I, Chapter 441 of the Government Code to add
Section 441.1385. Subsection (a) adds a definition for "internet safety
policy" and "obscene." Subsection (b) states that a public library that
provides a computer used to access the Internet is not eligible for a loan
or grant under Subchapter C, Chapter 57, Utilities Code (distant learning
through video, data, voice, or electronic information) unless the library
adopts and implements an Internet safety policy.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.