Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine signed legislation March 22 requiring the state’s public libraries to install internet filters to block offensive material but allowing adults who are conducting research to have the filters disabled.The legislation, which passed the House 85–12 and the Senate 31–9, was supported by the conservative Family Foundation of Virginia, which has been calling for such a measure since 2004, the Roanoke Times reported March 23.
“Now parents, regardless of where they live in Virginia, will soon have the assurance that their children cannot be subjected to cyberporn at their local, neighborhood library,” said Senate Majority Leader Walter Stosch (R-Henrico County), who sponsored the bill in the Senate.
According to the Times, fewer than half of the state’s library systems currently have filters installed.