Senate Passes "Safe Net Act" to Protect Children

Protecting Oklahoma's children from internet predators is the focus of Senate Bill 1479 which was approved today by the State Senate. Senator Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah, is primary author of the bill.

"This measure is going to help expand protections we already have in place to protect our children from sexual predators,” said Wilson. “The bill focuses primarily on communications via internet because that is where more and more predators are finding their victims. Kids love to get on the web and visit in chat rooms. Unfortunately, they aren’t afraid to talk to strangers and they can sometimes innocently give out personal information about themselves that can put them in danger.”

Wilson noted that the measure expands current law to make it illegal for an individual to facilitate, encourage, offer or solicit sexual conduct with a minor by use of any technology. Under provisions of the bill, these types of communications through the use of the internet, telephones, cellular phones, computers, video or audio equipment, or any other type of electronic device would be against the law.

“This measure is imperative for the safety of our youth. One in five children who use the Internet comes into contact with a sexual predator,” said Wilson. “As a legislator and a grandfather, I want to do everything possible to protect Oklahoma’s children from these online monsters.”

SB 1479 would also create an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit under the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. The ICAC unit would be responsible for investigating Internet crimes committed against children, including, but not limited to, offenses related to child pornography and solicitation of minors for pornography, prostitution or sex-related offenses. The unit would also be in charge of promoting safe Internet use among children and their parents by various media or printed material campaigns or by offering educational programs to schools or communities throughout the state.

Finally, the measure increases the penalty for online sexual offenses from a misdemeanor to a felony. Currently violators can be imprisoned for up to one year in the county jail but that would be increased to up to five years in the custody of the Department of Corrections. The new bill also ensures that each communication constitutes a separate offense.

SB 1479 will now move to the House for further consideration.