Internet Filtering (H 5652)

In March, the ACLU released a report documenting the problematic use of Internet filters on school computers.  Across Rhode Island, school districts are blocking from students vastly more information than was intended by the federal law requiring the use of filtering, leaving students unable to complete their assignments and teachers scrambling to change their lesson plans at the very last moment.  Legislation sought to address this issue by requiring that school districts maintain a detailed written policy regarding the use of their filters, permitting teachers to have websites unblocked in an expedient fashion, and reevaluating requests for unblocking annually to determine if any filter changes should be made.  The ACLU testified in support of this legislation before the House Health, Education and Welfare committee in April, but it was not voted on.