Summary
H.B. 127 is an HTPA bill. It bars any person from manufacturing, distributing or selling any device in Wyoming unless it has working filters to block access to websites that contain obscene material or that facilitate prostitution.
The seller or distributor must provide regular and ongoing updates to the filtering software to make sure it continues to block the prohibited content.
The filtering software can be deactivated by the person who sold or distributed it if the purchaser or recipient: a. Makes a written request that it be disabled; b. Seller or manufacturer verifies that the person is 18 or older; and, c. The consumer acknowledges in writing receiving a written statement warning of the potential dangers of the content that the filters are blocking. The attorney general is responsible for drafting the written statement.
The seller must also set up a call in center or reporting website for reports of the filtering software over or under blocking material in error. If the manufacturer, distributor or seller is unresponsive to a report, the consumer or the attorney general may bring a suit to make them make reasonable efforts to ensure that obscene material is blocked and non-obscene material is unblocked.
Manufacturing, distributing or selling a device without filtering software in Wyoming is a violation of the existing law of promoting obscenity. A violation is a misdemeanor subject to up to one year in prison, a $1,000 fine, or both.
Information
For more information on HTPA bills and why they are unconstitutional, visit our page on them.
Status
Did Not Consider for Introduction Vote – 02/16/2018