110th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 49
To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prevent the carriage
of child pornography by video service providers, to protect children from
online predators, and to restrict the sale or purchase of children's personal
information in interstate commerce.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 4, 2007
Mr. STEVENS introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
A BILL
To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prevent the carriage
of child pornography by video service providers, to protect children from
online predators, and to restrict the sale or purchase of children's personal
information in interstate commerce.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) SHORT TITLE- This Act may be cited as the `Protecting Children in the
21st Century Act'.
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS- The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--PROTECTING CHILDREN
Sec. 101. Video transmission of child pornography.
Sec. 102. Additional child pornography amendments.
TITLE II--DELETING ONLINE PREDATORS
Sec. 203. Certifications to include protections against commercial social
networking websites and chat rooms.
Sec. 204. FTC consumer alert on internet dangers to children.
TITLE III--CHILDREN'S LISTBROKER PRIVACY
Sec. 302. Restriction on sale or purchase of children's personal information.
Sec. 303. Administration and enforcement.
Sec. 304. Actions by States.
Sec. 306. Effective date.
TITLE I--PROTECTING CHILDREN
SEC. 101. VIDEO TRANSMISSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.
Section 621 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 541) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
`(1) IN GENERAL- A video service provider authorized to provide video
service in a local franchise area shall comply with the regulations on
child pornography promulgated pursuant to paragraph (2).
`(2) Regulations- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment
of the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, the Commission shall
promulgate regulations to require a video service to prevent the offering
of child pornography (as such term is defined in section 254(h)(7)(F)).'.
SEC. 102. ADDITIONAL CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AMENDMENTS.
(a) INCREASE IN FINE FOR FAILURE TO REPORT- Section 227(b)(4) of the Crime
Control Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 13032(b)(4)) is amended--
(1) by striking `$50,000;' in subparagraph (A) and inserting `$150,000;';
and
(2) by striking `$100,000.' in subparagraph (B) and inserting `$300,000.'.
(b) Warning Labels for Websites Depicting Sexually Explicit Material-
(A) NOTICE REQUIREMENT- It is unlawful for the operator of a website
that is primarily operated for commercial purposes knowingly, and with
knowledge of the character of the material, to place sexually explicit
material on the website unless--
(i) the first page of the website viewable on the Internet does not
include any sexually explicit material; and
(ii) each page or screen of the website that does contain sexually
explicit material also displays the matter prescribed by the Federal
Trade Commission under paragraph (2).
(B) EXCEPTION FOR RESTRICTED ACCESS WEBSITES- Subparagraph (A)(ii) does
not apply to any website access to which is restricted to a specific
set of individuals through a password or other access restriction mechanism.
(2) MARKS OR NOTICES- Within 90 days after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Federal Trade Commission shall, in consultation with the Attorney
General, promulgate regulations establishing clearly identifiable marks
or notices to be included in the code, if technologically feasible, or
on the pages or screens of a website that contains sexually explicit material
to inform any person who accesses that website of the nature of the material
and to facilitate the filtering of such pages or screens.
(3) INAPPLICABILITY TO CARRIERS AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS- Subsection
(a) does not apply to a person to the extent that the person is--
(A) a telecommunications carrier (as defined in section 3(44) of the
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 153(44));
(B) engaged in the business of providing an Internet access service;
or
(C) engaged in the transmission, storage, retrieval, hosting, formatting,
or translation of a communication made by another person, without selection
or alteration of the content (other than by translation or by lawful
selection or deletion of matter).
(4) DEFINITIONS- In this subsection:
(A) WEBSITE- The term `website' means any collection of material placed
in a computer server-based file archive so that it is publicly accessible
over the Internet using hypertext transfer protocol, or any successor
protocol.
(B) SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIAL- The term `sexually explicit material'
means material that depicts sexually explicit conduct (as defined in
section 2256(2)(A) of section 2256 of title 18, United States Code),
unless that depiction constitutes a small and insignificant part of
the whole, the remainder of which is not primarily devoted to sexual
matters.
(C) INTERNET- The term `Internet' means the combination of computer
facilities and electromagnetic transmission media, and related equipment
and software, comprising the interconnected worldwide network of computer
networks that employ the Internet protocol or any successor protocol
to transmit information.
(D) INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE- The term `Internet access service' means
a service that enables users to access content, information, electronic
mail, or other services offered over the Internet and may also include
access to proprietary content, information, and other services as part
of a package of services offered to the public other than telecommunications
service (as defined in section 3(46) of the Communications Act of 1934
(47 U.S.C. 153(46))).
(5) PENALTY- Violation of this subsection is punishable by a fine under
title 18, United States Code, or imprisonment for not more than 5 years,
or both.
TITLE II--DELETING ONLINE PREDATORS
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the `Deleting Online Predators Act of 2007'.
SEC. 202. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that--
(1) sexual predators approach minors on the Internet using chat rooms
and social networking websites, and, according to the United States Attorney
General, one in five children has been approached sexually on the Internet;
(2) sexual predators can use these chat rooms and websites to locate,
learn about, befriend, and eventually prey on children by engaging them
in sexually explicit conversations, asking for photographs, and attempting
to lure children into a face to face meeting; and
(3) with the explosive growth of trendy chat rooms and social networking
websites, it is becoming more and more difficult to monitor and protect
minors from those with devious intentions, particularly when children
are away from parental supervision.
SEC. 203. CERTIFICATIONS TO INCLUDE PROTECTIONS AGAINST COMMERCIAL SOCIAL
NETWORKING WEBSITES AND CHAT ROOMS.
(a) Certification by Schools- Section 254(h)(5)(B) of the Communications
Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254(h)(5)(B)) is amended by striking clause (i) and
inserting the following:
`(i) is enforcing a policy of Internet safety for minors that prevents
cyberbullying and includes monitoring the online activities of minors
and the operation of a technology protection measure with respect
to any of its computers with Internet access that--
`(I) protects against access through such computers to visual depictions
that are--
`(aa) obscene;
`(bb) child pornography; or
`(cc) harmful to minors; and
`(II) protects against access to a commercial social networking
website or chat room unless used for an educational purpose with
adult supervision; and'.
(b) Certification by Libraries- Section 254(h)(6)(B) of such Act (47 U.S.C.
254(h)(6)(B)) is amended by striking clause (i) and inserting the following:
`(i) is enforcing a policy of Internet safety that prevents cyberbullying
and includes the operation of a technology protection measure with
respect to any of its computers with Internet access that--
`(I) protects against access through such computers to visual depictions
that are--
`(aa) obscene;
`(bb) child pornography; or
`(cc) harmful to minors; and
`(II) protects against access by minors without parental authorization
to a commercial social networking website or chat room, and informs
parents that sexual predators can use these websites and chat rooms
to prey on children; and'.
(c) Definitions- Section 254(h)(7) of such Act (47 U.S.C. 254(h)(7)) is
amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
`(J) COMMERCIAL SOCIAL NETWORKING WEBSITES; CHAT ROOMS- Within 120 days
after the date of enactment of the Deleting Online Predators Act of
2006, the Commission shall by rule define the terms `social networking
website' and `chat room' for purposes of this subsection. In determining
the definition of a social networking website, the Commission shall
take into consideration the extent to which a website--
`(i) is offered by a commercial entity;
`(ii) permits registered users to create an on-line profile that includes
detailed personal information;
`(iii) permits registered users to create an on-line journal and share
such a journal with other users;
`(iv) elicits highly-personalized information from users; and
`(v) enables communication among users.'.
(d) Disabling During Adult or Educational Use- Section 254(h)(5)(D) of such
Act (47 U.S.C. 254(h)(5)(D)) is amended--
(1) by inserting `OR EDUCATIONAL' after `DURING ADULT' in the heading;
and
(2) by inserting before the period at the end the following: `or during
use by an adult or by minors with adult supervision to enable access for
educational purposes pursuant to subparagraph (B)(i)(II)' .
SEC. 204. FTC CONSUMER ALERT ON INTERNET DANGERS TO CHILDREN.
(a) Information Regarding Child Predators and the Internet- Not later than
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Trade Commission
shall--
(1) issue a consumer alert regarding the potential dangers to children
of Internet child predators, including the potential danger of commercial
social networking websites and chat rooms through which personal information
about child users of such websites may be accessed by child predators;
and
(2) establish a website to serve as a resource for information for parents,
teachers and school administrators, and others regarding the potential
dangers posed by the use of the Internet by children, including information
about commercial social networking websites and chat rooms through which
personal information about child users of such websites may be accessed
by child predators.
(b) Commercial Social Networking Websites- In subsection (a), the terms
`commercial social networking website' and `chat room' have the meanings
given such terms pursuant to section 254(h)(7)(J) of the Communications
Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254(h)(7)(J)).
TITLE III--CHILDREN'S LISTBROKER PRIVACY
SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the `Children's Listbroker Privacy Act'.
SEC. 302. RESTRICTION ON SALE OR PURCHASE OF CHILDREN'S PERSONAL INFORMATION.
(a) IN GENERAL- It is unlawful--
(1) to sell personal information about an individual the seller knows
to be a child;
(2) to purchase personal information about an individual identified by
the seller as a child, for the purpose of marketing to that child; or
(3) for a person who has provided a certification pursuant to subsection
(b)(2), in connection with the purchase of personal information about
an individual identified by the seller as a child, to engage in any practice
that violates the terms of the certification.
(1) PARENTAL CONSENT- Subsection (a) does not apply to any sale, purchase,
or use of personal information about a child if the parent of the child
has granted express consent to that sale, purchase, or use of the information.
(2) CERTIFICATION- Subsection (a)(1) shall not apply to the sale of personal
information about a child if the purchaser certifies to the seller, electronically
or in writing, before the sale is completed--
(A) the purpose for which the information will be used by the purchaser;
and
(B) that the purchaser will neither--
(i) use the information for marketing that child; nor
(ii) permit the information to be used by others for the purpose of
marketing to that child.
SEC. 303. ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT.
(a) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in subsection (b), this title shall be
enforced by the Commission as if the violation of section 302 of this title
were an unfair or deceptive act or practice proscribed under section 18(a)(1)(B)
of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)).
(b) ENFORCEMENT BY CERTAIN OTHER AGENCIES- Compliance with this title shall
be enforced under--
(1) section 8 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1818), in
the case of--
(A) national banks, and Federal branches and Federal agencies of foreign
banks, by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency;
(B) member banks of the Federal Reserve System (other than national
banks), branches and agencies of foreign banks (other than Federal branches,
Federal agencies, and insured State branches of foreign banks), commercial
lending companies owned or controlled by foreign banks, and organizations
operating under section 25 or 25A of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C.
601 and 611), by the Board; and
(C) banks insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (other
than members of the Federal Reserve System) and insured State branches
of foreign banks, by the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation;
(2) section 8 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1818), by
the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision, in the case of a savings
association the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation;
(3) the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) by the National
Credit Union Administration Board with respect to any Federal credit union;
(4) part A of subtitle VII of title 49, United States Code, by the Secretary
of Transportation with respect to any air carrier or foreign air carrier
subject to that part;
(5) the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (7 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) (except
as provided in section 406 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 226, 227)), by the Secretary
of Agriculture with respect to any activities subject to that Act; and
(6) the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2001 et seq.) by the Farm Credit
Administration with respect to any Federal land bank, Federal land bank
association, Federal intermediate credit bank, or production credit association.
(c) EXERCISE OF CERTAIN POWERS- For the purpose of the exercise by any agency
referred to in subsection (b) of its powers under any Act referred to in
that subsection, a violation of section 302 of this title is deemed to be
a violation of a requirement imposed under that Act. In addition to its
powers under any provision of law specifically referred to in subsection
(b), each of the agencies referred to in that subsection may exercise, for
the purpose of enforcing compliance with any requirement imposed under section
302 of this title, any other authority conferred on it by law.
(d) ACTIONS BY THE COMMISSION- The Commission shall prevent any person from
violating section 302 of this title in the same manner, by the same means,
and with the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all applicable
terms and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et
seq.) were incorporated into and made a part of this title. Any entity that
violates any provision of that section is subject to the penalties and entitled
to the privileges and immunities provided in the Federal Trade Commission
Act in the same manner, by the same means, and with the same jurisdiction,
power, and duties as though all applicable terms and provisions of the Federal
Trade Commission Act were incorporated into and made a part of that section.
(e) PRESERVATION OF COMMISSION AUTHORITY- Nothing contained in this section
shall be construed to limit the authority of the Commission under any other
provision of law.
SEC. 304. ACTIONS BY STATES.
(1) CIVIL ACTIONS- In any case in which the attorney general of a State
has reason to believe that an interest of the residents of that State
has been or is threatened or adversely affected by the engagement of any
person in a practice that section 302 of this title, the State, as parens
patriae, may bring a civil action on behalf of the residents of the State
in a district court of the United States of appropriate jurisdiction--
(A) to enjoin that practice;
(B) to enforce compliance with the rule;
(C) to obtain damage, restitution, or other compensation on behalf of
residents of the State; or
(D) to obtain such other relief as the court may consider to be appropriate.
(A) IN GENERAL- Before filing an action under paragraph (1), the attorney
general of the State involved shall provide to the Commission--
(i) written notice of that action; and
(ii) a copy of the complaint for that action.
(i) IN GENERAL- Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to the
filing of an action by an attorney general of a State under this subsection,
if the attorney general determines that it is not feasible to provide
the notice described in that subparagraph before the filing of the
action.
(ii) NOTIFICATION- In an action described in clause (i), the attorney
general of a State shall provide notice and a copy of the complaint
to the Commission at the same time as the attorney general files the
action.
(1) IN GENERAL- On receiving notice under subsection (a)(2), the Commission
shall have the right to intervene in the action that is the subject of
the notice.
(2) EFFECT OF INTERVENTION- If the Commission intervenes in an action
under subsection (a), it shall have the right--
(A) to be heard with respect to any matter that arises in that action;
and
(B) to file a petition for appeal.
(c) CONSTRUCTION- For purposes of bringing any civil action under subsection
(a), nothing in this title shall be construed to prevent an attorney general
of a State from exercising the powers conferred on the attorney general
by the laws of that State to--
(1) conduct investigations;
(2) administer oaths or affirmations; or
(3) compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of documentary
and other evidence.
(d) ACTIONS BY THE COMMISSION- In any case in which an action is instituted
by or on behalf of the Commission for violation of section 302 of this title,
no State may, during the pendency of that action, institute an action under
subsection (a) against any defendant named in the complaint in that action
for violation of that section.
(e) Venue; Service of Process-
(1) VENUE- Any action brought under subsection (a) may be brought in the
district court of the United States that meets applicable requirements
relating to venue under section 1391 of title 28, United States Code.
(2) SERVICE OF PROCESS- In an action brought under subsection (a), process
may be served in any district in which the defendant--
SEC. 305. DEFINITIONS.
(1) CHILD- The term `child' means an individual under the age of 16.
(2) COMMISSION- The term `Commission' means the Federal Trade Commission.
(A) IN GENERAL- The term `express consent' means an affirmative indication
of permission in writing or electronic form. The term `express consent'
does not include consent inferred from a failure to indicate affirmatively
that consent is denied or withheld.
(B) PREREQUISITES- Express consent is not valid unless--
(i) before granting the consent the individual granting the consent
was informed of the purpose for which the information would be sold,
purchased, or used; and
(ii) consent was not granted as a condition for making a product,
service, or warranty available to the individual or the child to which
the information pertains.
(4) MARKETING- The term `marketing' means making a communication to encourage
the purchase or use of a commercial product or service. For purposes of
this paragraph, a product or service shall be considered to be commercial
if some or all of the proceeds from the sale inure to the benefit of an
enterprise conducted for profit.
(5) PARENT- The term `parent' includes a legal guardian.
(6) PERSONAL INFORMATION- The term `personal information' means identifiable
information about an individual, including--
(B) a home or other physical address including street name and name
of a city or town;
(C) an e-mail address or online username;
(E) a Social Security number; or
(F) any other information that permits a specific individual to be identified.
(7) PURCHASE; SELL; SALE- In section 303, the terms `purchase', `sell',
and `sale' include the purchase and sale of the right to use personal
information, without regard to whether--
(A) the right is limited or unlimited;
(B) the transaction is characterized as a purchase, sale, lease, or
otherwise; and
(C) the consideration for the transaction is monetary, goods, or services.
SEC. 306. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This title takes effect 6 months after the date of enactment.
END
