COLORADO — A bill that would require public and charter schools to install filtering devices on all computers that allow minors to access the Internet passed the state House of Representatives in April and was awaiting approval of the Senate as the Report went to press.
\nThe filters would block access to visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic or “harmful to minors,” a term that includes images of graphic violence, according to the bill’s definition. The bill (HB 02-1266) would allow administrators to temporarily disable the filters for “bona fide research or lawful purposes.”
\nOpponents argue the bill is overly broad, and note that its restrictions would prevent students from researching such subjects as the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.