Posted 2/28/01 Bill will make using internet easier to fight child pornographers By T.W. Budig ECM capitol reporter A bill making it easier for law enforcement officials to access computer records and documents stored on servers in other states has been introduced by Sen. Satveer Chaudhary, DFL, Fridley. ìWith the benefits the internet has brought to Minnesota, it also has its downside,î said Chaudhary, saying his legislation in intended to thwart child pornography on the internet. Under the legislation, a Minnesota judge could issue a search warrant so police could access internet computers recorders, which, such in the case of subscribers to America Online, could be stored outstate. America Online, for instance, stores information at its headquarters in Virginia, according to Chaudhary. The legislation would also toughen penalties for registered sex offenders caught possessing child porn. Beyond fighting pornographers, the legislation could also be used against white collar crime, counterfeiting, and other electric crimes. The bill is similar to laws in California, say supporters. Rep. Wes Skoglund, DFL, Minneapolis, author of the legislation in the House, said if the bill gets a hearing he believes it will pass. St. Paul Police Sgt. Brook Schaub, head of the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, said the proposed legislation would be of value to law enforcement because it would allow police get ahold of data quickly. Before the advent of the internet child porn collectors would need to go through a foreign country or send to a post office box to obtain images, said Schaub explained. But the internet has greatly increased access, he said. And the new child pornography that theyíll finding on the internet shows thereís a growing market. ìEvery time thatís (an image) downloaded, every time thatís transferred, the child is victimized again,î said Schaub of children exploited by pornographers. Lawmakers also warned that parents need to keep watch on children using the internet. Often sexual predators will send children images of child pornography in order to break their inhibitions, said Schaub. And predators often use childrenís internet chatrooms to obtain victims. Minnesota children have been used in child pornography, he said. Fortunately, many times the children are identified and the pornographers arrested before the product appears on the internet, said Schaub. Once on the internet, the images become permanent, he said. ©Post Review