[Libs-Or] FW: [Publib] What is the status of DOPA?

[Rawles-Heiser, Carolyn]

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Don Wood
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 7:09 AM
To: PUBLIB
Subject: [Publib] What is the status of DOPA?

DOPA (Deleting Online Predators Act)
http://teentechweek.wikispaces.com/DOPA 

DOPA passed by a vote of 410 to 15 in a July 26th vote in the House of
Representatives. A version of the bill did not come before the Senate
for a vote in September. The website to follow the hearing is the U.S.
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. On September
19, there was a hearing through this committee on "Online Child
Pornography" that appeared to be related to DOPA, but not directly
referenced in testimonies. If it becomes law, schools and libraries that
receive E-Rate funds to help pay for Internet access will be required to
block access to "social networking sites." These sites are defined by
DOPA as those that enable communication among users and that allow users
to post information or create personal profiles. Among the sites that
could be affected by this law are everything from Amazon.com to the
federal government's own First Gov web site.

Oct. 11th:
What is the status of DOPA? The Senate and House are not in session and
won't be until after the election. When they return to DC, they will be
focusing on leadership elections and appropriations bills. According to
the ALA Washington Office, the Senate has no plans to consider any
social networking bills during the rest of this session. That means
DOPA, in its current form, will die at the end of this session and not
become law.

What might the future hold? It's possible that in the next session,
which begins in Jan. 2007, that the issue of social networking
technologies might come to the forefront again. The House very well
might try to pass a similar bill at that time.

What are next steps? Librarians should continue educating their
Congresspersons, local decision makers and library users about social
networking technologies. Since Congress will be home for the holidays,
you may want to invite your legislator to the library for an event that
centers around computer use and/or social networking technologies. Other
tips and ideas for educating legislators and others about this issue are
in YALSA's Social Networking Toolkit, which is available below.

For a more comprehensive web site on DOPA and additional resources,
visit http://wikis.ala.org/iwa/ 



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