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HR 1978 104th Congress House

Internet Freedom and Family Empowerment Act

Official title: To encourage and protect private sector initiatives that improve user control over computer information services.

Introduced: June 30, 1995 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Child molestingChild pornographyCommerceComputer networks
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Computer softwareCrime and Law EnforcementElectronic publishingFamiliesFree enterpriseGovernment regulationInformation servicesInteractive mediaLawLiability (Law)PornographyScience, Technology, CommunicationsStalking
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This bill died when the 104th Congress ended
It never became law before the 104th Congress (1995–1996) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 10, 1995
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.
Jun 30, 1995
Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.
Jun 30, 1995
Introduced in House
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 Latest action July 10, 1995

Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Internet Freedom and Family Empowerment Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to establish Government policy promoting continued development of the Internet and other interactive computer services and media and preserving the competitive free market existing for them.

Addresses concerns over objectionable materials on such services, sexual (including child sexual exploitation) and otherwise. Shields the service provider and user from: (1) treatment as publisher or speaker of any information provided by an information content provider; and (2) liability for good faith actions taken to restrict access to such materials.

Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize Federal Communications Commission regulation of the content of such services.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Wyden, Ron
Oregon · Jun 30, 1995
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1978: Internet Freedom and Family Empowerment Act. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-1978/
MLA
"H.R. 1978: Internet Freedom and Family Empowerment Act." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-1978/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1978, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-1978/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1978: Internet Freedom and Family Empowerment Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-1978/)
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