20 USC 7131 - Internet safety

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 23, 2024

§ 7131.

Internet safety

(a)

In general

No funds made available under this part to a local educational agency for an elementary school or secondary school that does not receive services at discount rates under section 254(h)(5) of title 47 may be used to purchase computers used to access the Internet, or to pay for direct costs associated with accessing the Internet, for such school unless the school, school board, local educational agency, or other authority with responsibility for administration of such school both—

(1)

(A)

has in place a policy of Internet safety for minors that includes the operation of a technology protection measure with respect to any of its computers with Internet access that protects against access through such computers to visual depictions that are—

(i)

obscene;

(ii)

child pornography; or

(iii)

harmful to minors; and

(B)

is enforcing the operation of such technology protection measure during any use of such computers by minors; and

(2)

(A)

has in place a policy of Internet safety that includes the operation of a technology protection measure with respect to any of its computers with Internet access that protects against access through such computers to visual depictions that are—

(i)

obscene; or

(ii)

child pornography; and

(B)

is enforcing the operation of such technology protection measure during any use of such computers.

(b)

Timing and applicability of implementation

(1)

In general

(2)

Process

(A)

Schools with Internet safety policies and technology protection measures in place

(B)

Schools without Internet safety policies and technology protection measures in place

(i)

Certification

A local educational agency with responsibility for a school covered by subsection (a) that does not have in place an Internet safety policy meeting the requirements of subsection (a)—

(I)

for the first program year after December 21, 2000, in which the local educational agency is applying for funds for such school under this chapter, shall certify that it is undertaking such actions, including any necessary procurement procedures, to put in place an Internet safety policy that meets such requirements; and

(II)

for the second program year after December 21, 2000, in which the local educational agency is applying for funds for such school under this chapter, shall certify that such school is in compliance with such requirements.

(ii)

Ineligibility

(C)

Waivers

(c)

Disabling during certain use

(d)

Noncompliance

(1)

Use of General Education Provisions Act remedies

Whenever the Secretary has reason to believe that any recipient of funds under this part is failing to comply substantially with the requirements of this section, the Secretary may—

(A)

withhold further payments to the recipient under this part;

(B)

issue a complaint to compel compliance of the recipient through a cease and desist order; or

(C)

enter into a compliance agreement with a recipient to bring it into compliance with such requirements,

in 1

 So in original. Probably should be followed by “the”.

same manner as the Secretary is authorized to take such actions under sections 455, 456, and 457, respectively, of the General Education Provisions Act [20 U.S.C. 1234d, 1234e, 1234f].

(2)

Recovery of funds prohibited

(3)

Recommencement of payments

(e)

Definitions

In this subpart:

(1)

Computer

(2)

Access to Internet

(3)

Acquisition or operation

An elementary school or secondary school shall be considered to have received funds under this part for the acquisition or operation of any computer if such funds are used in any manner, directly or indirectly—

(A)

to purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire or obtain the use of such computer; or

(B)

to obtain services, supplies, software, or other actions or materials to support, or in connection with, the operation of such computer.

(4)

Minor

(5)

Child pornography

(6)

Harmful to minors

The term “harmful to minors” means any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that—

(A)

taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;

(B)

depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and

(C)

taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.

(7)

Obscene

(8)

Sexual act and sexual contact

(f)

Severability

(Pub. L. 89–10, title IV, § 4121, formerly title II, § 2441, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1686; renumbered title IV, § 4161, renumbered § 4121, Pub. L. 114–95, title II, § 2001(a)(4)(A), (B), (D), title IV, § 4001(a)(5)(D), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1913, 1966.)

cite as: 20 USC 7131