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Child Online Protection Act

Introduced: July 24, 1998 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) 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 17 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 8, 1998
Received in the Senate.
Oct 7, 1998
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Oct 7, 1998
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Oct 7, 1998
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Oct 7, 1998
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Oct 7, 1998
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Oct 7, 1998
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9902-9911)
Oct 7, 1998
Mr. Tauzin moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Oct 5, 1998
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 441.
Oct 5, 1998
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Commerce. H. Rept. 105-775.
Sep 24, 1998
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Sep 24, 1998
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Sep 17, 1998
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Sep 17, 1998
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 8, 1998
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection.
Apr 30, 1998
Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.
Apr 30, 1998
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Child Online Protection Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require anyone who, in interstate or foreign commerce, is engaged in the business of selling or transferring, by means of the World Wide Web, material that is harmful to minors to restrict access to such materials by persons under 17 years of age.

Provides civil and criminal penalties for violations of such requirement, as well as an affirmative defense.

Directs the Federal Communications Commission to post on its Internet website a definition of material that is harmful to minors.

What's happening now October 8, 1998

Received in the Senate.

 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3783: Child Online Protection Act. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-3783/
MLA
"H.R. 3783: Child Online Protection Act." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-3783/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3783, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-3783/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3783: Child Online Protection Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-3783/)
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