Mont. Senators Weigh Smartphone Obscenity Filter

passed the law, and it won’t take effect until five more states do the same, he said. A better model would be a Louisiana law requiring pornographers to collect identification from users, said Szabo. HB-349 sponsor Rep. Lola Sheldon-Galloway (R) said she’s “frustrated” opponents didn’t come to her earlier to propose the Louisiana approach if it’s such a good idea. Requiring obscenity filters to be on by default isn’t hard to implement, she said. Vice Chair Willis Curdy (D) asked how Szabo could say the Louisiana law is working when it’s been in effect for only three months. Sen. Christopher Pope (D) thinks a big hole in HB-349 is that it covers only phones and not computers, he said. Rep. Terry Moore (R) testified in support, calling HB-349 “a simple measure that respects free speech." Project Stand Director-Public Policy Erin Walker said parents can easily override the restriction proposed by the bill. “This is not overregulation.” Tennessee senators punted a similar bill earlier this week (see 2303200068). The Computer & Communications Industry Association opposed Idaho, Montana and Tennessee filter bills, in written comments this week. “Requiring a state-specific content filter would be technically infeasible for businesses to implement as manufacturers produce devices at the national -- not state -- level,” said CCIA State Policy Director Khara Boender.