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House passes resolution urging Congress to give Internet users a way to block adult content
Summary
The Utah House unanimously adopted House Concurrent Resolution 3 urging Congress to support technology or rules that let users opt out of receiving adult internet content; sponsor said the change would make providers respect opt‑out requests and reduce children's and employees' exposure.
The Utah House unanimously passed House Concurrent Resolution 3 on Jan. 30, 2007, urging Congress to pursue technology and policy changes that would make it easier for Internet users to avoid adult content.
Representative Daw, the resolution sponsor, told the chamber the measure is intended to prompt Congress to consider a technical approach so that when a user requests a webpage the request could include a notification that the user does not wish to receive adult content. "What this resolution is urging Congress to do is change the way the Internet works in a really a very minor way," Daw said, urging the House to send a "strong message from the state of Utah" to federal lawmakers. He described adult material as "a scourge on our society."
The measure was reported out of the Public Utilities Committee on a 10‑0‑1 vote and drew no floor opposition. Voting was recorded 71 yes, 0 no; the resolution now heads to the state Senate for consideration.
The resolution asks Congress to explore solutions that would place the responsibility on Internet service or content providers to honor a user’s expressed desire not to receive adult material. Representative Daw described the proposal as "workable" and "constitutional," and he said it would allow those who "don't want [adult content] to show up on their screen to not have it." Representative Daw waived summation before the vote.
Next steps: the resolution will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration; it does not impose state law or new state-level requirements.
Speakers quoted in this article are drawn from the House floor transcript of Jan. 30, 2007.
