Bills to regulate adult internet sites introduced

At first glance, one may think that HB187 is an attempt to go soft on Internet adult sites.

But sponsor Rep. John Dougall, R-Highland, says his repeal of the "adult registry" makes sense as Congress and the federal government move forward with site registration nationwide.

HB187 also repeals code that requires Internet service businesses to not charge for adult site blocking software. "The big servers — America On Line, Comcast and so on — already provide that service for free. The others charge like a buck a month. We just wanted to give more flexibility to businesses so that more will" provide the blocking software, Dougall said.

Anti-porn advocates shouldn't be concerned over his bill, Dougall said. "We are not soft on adult sites at all. We keep in place the main parts of the law we passed last year: (Servers) still must provide a filter for adult material and restrict access to minors."