Keeping the Internet Decent and Safe Act
Latest action (21 Oct 1998): Introduced
What this bill does
S. 2648, the "Keeping the Internet Decent and Safe Act," was introduced in the Senate in October 1998 by Senator Christopher Dodd and referred to the Judiciary Committee. It has two main components. First, it would allow elementary and secondary schools to use certain existing federal education funds—money received under specified provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Museum and Library Services Act—to purchase "screening software," defined as software designed to limit minors' access to Internet material deemed harmful to them. Second, the bill would expand federal criminal and civil forfeiture law as it applies to child exploitation offenses, adding new detailed forfeiture provisions to Title 18 of the U.S. Code covering child pornography offenses and offenses involving coercion, enticement, or transportation of minors for sexual purposes. These provisions specify what property can be seized, procedures for protective orders, warrants, third-party claims, and disposition of forfeited assets.
The bill would primarily affect public elementary and secondary schools (by expanding permissible uses of certain federal funds), software vendors selling content-filtering products, and individuals prosecuted for child pornography or related sexual exploitation crimes involving minors, who would face expanded asset forfeiture consequences. Law enforcement agencies and courts would also be affected through new procedural rules for seizing and disposing of forfeited property.
The bill was introduced on October 21, 1998, near the end of the 105th Congress, and was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. According to available records, it did not receive a vote and did not advance further before that Congress ended.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Keeping the Internet Decent and Safe Act - Authorizes an elementary or secondary school to use funds received: (1) under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 for school technology resource grants and national challenge grants for technology in education; and (2) under the Museum and Library Services Act to purchase software designed to permit a person to limit access to material on the Internet that is harmful to minors. (Sec. 3) Provides for criminal and civil forfeiture for: (1) offenses relating to child pornography; (2) knowingly enticing or coercing a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity; (3) transporting a minor in interstate or foreign commerce with intent that such individual engage in criminal sexual activity; or (4) travelling in interstate or foreign commerce with intent to engage in a criminal sexual act with a juvenile. Includes within the definition of "crime of violence" (thus, providing for detention for): (1) knowingly enticing or coercing a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity; and (2) transporting for criminal sexual activity, or travelling with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity with, a juvenile.
Common questions
- What does S. 2648 do?
- S. 2648, the "Keeping the Internet Decent and Safe Act," was introduced in the Senate in October 1998 by Senator Christopher Dodd and referred to the Judiciary Committee. It has two main components. First, it would allow elementary and secondary schools to use certain existing federal education funds—money received under specified provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Museum and Library Services Act—to purchase "screening software," defined as software designed to limit minors' access to Internet material deemed harmful to them. Second, the bill would expand federal criminal and civil forfeiture law as it applies to child exploitation offenses, adding new detailed forfeiture provisions to Title 18 of the U.S. Code covering child pornography offenses and offenses involving coercion, enticement, or transportation of minors for sexual purposes. These provisions specify what property can be seized, procedures for protective orders, warrants, third-party claims, and disposition of forfeited assets. The bill would primarily affect public elementary and secondary schools (by expanding permissible uses of certain federal funds), software vendors selling content-filtering products, and individuals prosecuted for child pornography or related sexual exploitation crimes involving minors, who would face expanded asset forfeiture consequences. Law enforcement agencies and courts would also be affected through new procedural rules for seizing and disposing of forfeited property. The bill was introduced on October 21, 1998, near the end of the 105th Congress, and was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. According to available records, it did not receive a vote and did not advance further before that Congress ended.
- Has S. 2648 become law?
- Not yet. As of 21 Oct 1998, S. 2648 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 2648?
- S. 2648 was sponsored by Sen. Christopher Dodd [D-CT, 1981-2010] (Democrat-CT), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 2648?
- Introduced (21 Oct 1998).
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