EFF "Censorship - Internet Censorship Legislation - Florida" Archive

Files in this Archive

fl_hb13_95.bill: House version of SB238 (below).
fl_sb238_95.bill: FL Senate Bill 238, the "Pornography Victims' Compensation Act", create private cause of action for victims of crimes supposedly related to pornography, including Florida's computer porn statute (itself a terrible piece of work). Florida (hypocrically, given it's well-deserved reputation as flesh-haven for horny college students during spring break) is well known for attacking sexually explicit or even just subjectively "yucky" or "gross" material, and prosecuting nationally-acclaimed artists for "obscenity". SB 238 is very disturbing - any rape victim could sue you for all you're worth if you happen to create disturbing art, even though there would be no connection of any kind between your art and the victim's misfortune. This is a recipe for legal mahem. The bill appears to be moribund as of May 1995 - as are it's companion bills HB 13 (House version) and SB 76 (Senate bill to redefine child porn, etc.) - but be on the look out. This legislation could be back next session. Familiarize yourself with it now and draft responses early.
fl_sb76_95.bill: Apparently-dead bill to redefine "child pornography" to include (already illegal) obscene works that do no feature actual children and (constitutionally protected) non-obscene works such as art, also created without the abuse of any real child.