This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Senate passed a bill Thursday to require professional computer technicians who trip across child pornography to report it or face misdemeanor charges.
It voted 25-0 to pass HB155. Because it added minor changes, the bill was sent back to the House for final approval before going to Gov. Gary Herbert for his signature.
Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, the Senate sponsor of the bill, said it would not require technicians to search for child pornography, but creates a duty to report, when discovered, depictions of sexually explicit conduct involving minors.
The bill would provide immunity against civil lawsuits for technicians who report in good faith but make a mistake.
Weiler said 12 other states have similar laws.
Sen. Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, raised some concerns. "We take a person who innocently stumbles across something, and we actually criminalize him if he doesn't respond."
Weiler said the state has done the same thing by requiring people to report child abuse they discover. "It's an incentive for people to do the right thing."
— Lee Davidson