Section 182.827

Title XI EDUCATION AND LIBRARIES

Chapter 182

Effective - 28 Aug 2002   

  182.827.  Responsibilities of public schools and public libraries with public access computers — rulemaking authority — immunity from liability, when. — 1.  A public school that provides a public access computer shall do one or both of the following:

  (1)  Equip the computer with software that will limit minors' ability to gain access to material that is pornographic for minors or purchase internet connectivity from an internet service provider that provides filter services to limit access to material that is pornographic for minors;

  (2)  Develop and implement by January 1, 2003, a policy that is consistent with community standards and establishes measures to restrict minors from gaining computer access to material that is pornographic for minors.

  2.  The department of elementary and secondary education shall establish rules and regulations for the enforcement of subsection 1 of this section.  Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028.  This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2002, shall be invalid and void.

  3.  A public library that provides a public access computer shall do one or both of the following:

  (1)  Equip the computer with software that will limit minors' ability to gain access to material that is pornographic for minors or purchase internet connectivity from an internet service provider that provides filter services to limit access to material that is pornographic for minors;

  (2)  Develop and implement by January 1, 2003, a policy that is consistent with community standards and establishes measures to restrict minors from gaining computer access to material that is pornographic for minors.

  4.  The secretary of state shall establish rules and regulations for the enforcement of subsection 3 of this section.  Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028.  This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2002, shall be invalid and void.

  5.  Any public school board member, officer or employee, including library personnel, who willfully neglects or refuses to perform a duty imposed by this section shall be subject to the penalties imposed pursuant to section 162.091.

  6.  A public school or public school board member, officer or employee, including library personnel, public library or public library board member, officer, employee or trustee that complies with subsection 1 or 3 of this section or an internet service provider providing internet connectivity to such public school or library in order to comply with this section shall not be criminally liable or liable for any damages that might arise from a minor gaining access to material that is pornographic for minors through the use of a public access computer that is owned or controlled by the public school or public library.

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(L. 2002 H.B. 1402)