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HR 3606 104th Congress House

Internet Freedom and Child Protection Act of 1996

Official title: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to restore freedom of speech to the Internet and to protect children from unsuitable online material.

Introduced: June 18, 1996 Introduced by: Lofgren, Zoe Democratic · California See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Administrative procedureComputer networksComputer softwareCrime and Law Enforcement
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
FamiliesFederal Communications CommissionIndependent regulatory commissionsInformation servicesInteractive mediaLawParent and childPornographyScience, Technology, Communications
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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
Jun 21, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.
Jun 10, 1996
Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.
Jun 10, 1996
Introduced in House
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 Latest action June 21, 1996

Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Internet Freedom and Child Protection Act of 1996 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to repeal provisions prohibiting: (1) using a telecommunications device to make or initiate transmission of an obscene communication to a minor; or (2) using an interactive computer service to send or display to a minor any image or communication that depicts or describes sexual or excretory activities or organs in offensive terms.

Requires an Internet access provider, at the time of entering an agreement with a customer for the provision of Internet access services, to offer such customer screening software designed to permit the customer to limit access to material that is unsuitable for children.

Requires the Federal Communications Commission to prescribe minimum technical standards for screening such software.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 1
FROST, MARTIN
· Jul 23, 1996
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Jun 18, 1996
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3606: Internet Freedom and Child Protection Act of 1996. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3606/
MLA
"H.R. 3606: Internet Freedom and Child Protection Act of 1996." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3606/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3606, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3606/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3606: Internet Freedom and Child Protection Act of 1996](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3606/)
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