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TechnologyDaily Mobile
States Take Steps To Protect Children
by Chloe Albanesius
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Wednesday signed into law two measures to create a "do not spam" list of children who cannot be sent certain materials via e-mail and to punish violators.
"As our technological capabilities increase, so does the need to protect our children from inappropriate material that is surfacing on the computers and other electronic devices they use," Granholm said in a release. "The laws provide important safeguards that will allow children to use the Internet to search for valuable and educational information without being subjected to inappropriate e-mail from solicitors."
The bill, S.B. 1025, will let parents register their children's e-mail addresses with the state. Starting July 1, 2005, any company that sends to those minors messages that advertise services like gambling, alcohol, pornography or tobacco will be subject to criminal penalties. Granholm also signed a related bill, H.B. 5979, which makes those who contact minors on the list subject to criminal penalties under a state statute prohibiting unauthorized computer access.
In Virginia, meanwhile, Attorney General Jerry Kilgore on Thursday will announce the creation of a task force on cyber crime. Kilgore will join U.S. Attorney Paul McNulty and representatives from the FBI and state police in Richmond to detail plans for a team that will pursue criminals who use their computers to commit crimes.
On Tuesday, Kilgore announced that his computer-crimes unit would join forces with the Portsmouth's attorney's office to jointly prosecute a Portsmouth resident indicted last month for multiple counts of child porn and the computer solicitation of a minor for sexual purposes. The offices are considering state and federal prosecutions against Kelly Karl Bowen, Kilgore said.
"Sadly, we are seeing more victims come forward, and there will be more indictments to add to the list of offenses the defendant Bowen will be charged with," he said. "Among these new indictments will be forcible sodomy, as well as manufacturing of child pornography and additional counts of using the Internet to solicit children for sexual purposes."
Bowen currently faces nine counts for possessing child porn and one for computer solicitation.
And in Michigan, authorities arrested a 53-year-old man accused of sending obscene messages and arranging a sexual encounter with someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl. The arrest of Thomas Edson Allen was the seventh in the campaign of Attorney General Mike Cox to use undercover agents to identify and prosecute Internet predators.
North Carolina DNA Lab To Be Expanded
Before completing its latest session this week, the North Carolina legislature approved a $4.5 million expansion of the State Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab in order to improve DNA analysis, Attorney General Roy Cooper announced Monday.
"An expanded crime lab means we'll be able to use DNA technology to solve more crimes and get more criminals off our streets," Cooper said in a release. "Criminals will face real penalties, and our criminal-justice system will improve."
Lawmakers also approved $250,000 to pay private labs to analyze untested rape kits currently being held by local law enforcement agencies.
Cooper expressed disappointment, however, that the legislature did not approve a request for six additional agents and an evidence technician. He said although the lab has tripled its number of analysts in recent years, it still has a smaller staff than Virginia's lab -- a state with 1 million fewer residents than North Carolina. He urged legislators to re-examine the issue next session.
New York Colleges Receive Tech Grants
Two New York colleges were awarded nearly $930,000, and promised millions more in future years, to spur technology-based applied research and economic development in the state, Gov. George Pataki announced in a Friday release.
Marist College in Poughkeepsie will receive $500,000 in its first year and up to $2.5 million over five years for its Center for Applied Research in Collaborative and On-Demand Computing. The City University of New York's College of Staten Island will take home $428,331 in its first year and up to $2.3 million in the next five years for its Center for Engineered Polymeric Materials.
"As we move forward with Phase II of our high-tech and biotech job-creation efforts, we are creating new opportunities for our young people to secure good-paying, high-tech jobs so they can build their future in New York," Pataki said. "With every new high-tech job we create, we come even closer to realizing our goal of creating 1 million new jobs by the end of the decade."
The grants will be administered through an Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research initiative and will be used to promote public-private partnerships and spur innovation.
"The governor's grant to Marist College is right on target with advancing technology in New York state," Assemblyman Joel Miller said in a release. "You could not contribute to a better school more strategically located because of its proximity to high tech industries, such as IBM."
Speaking of the other grant, Assemblyman Michael Cusick said, "This grant will help make the College of Staten Island a leader in an emerging industry -- strengthening the economy and creating good-paying jobs right here on the island."
Virginia Governor Assumes NGA Chairmanship
Virginia Gov. Mark Warner on Monday officially assumed the one-year chairmanship of the National Governors Association (NGA).
He succeeds Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, who passed the reins in a ceremony during the NGA's annual meeting in Seattle. Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee was named vice chairman.
"It is important for all governors to work together on the critical issues affecting each of our states," Warner said.
The focus of his term will be on improving the nation's high schools, the Democratic governor said. "In the knowledge-based economy of the future, all good jobs will require education, skill and training that goes beyond high school. Whether our young adults are going on to college or beginning careers, they have to leave high school with a foundation for success."
Web Site Details W.Va. Tax Amnesty
West Virginia Gov. Bob Wise on Wednesday unveiled a Web site that details the state's upcoming amnesty for unpaid taxes.
From Sept. 1 to Nov. 1, residents with unpaid taxes accrued between Jan. 1, 1986, and Jan. 1 of this year will only be charged 50 percent of the interest owed. All other penalties will be eliminated. Those who do not take advantage of the program face a 10-percent penalty to their current tax liability. The effort is expected to generate $10 million.
"This is an excellent opportunity to settle with the state if you owe back taxes," Wise said in a release. "You can pay the tax or pay the max."
Taxpayers can visit the state's Web site to determine eligibility and obtain application forms.
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