The latest opinion, news, and happenings from the Norwalk Democrats.
Rep. Morris Announces Child Pornography Legislation
State Rep. Bruce Morris
July 17, 2007
Legislation sponsored by state Representative Bruce Morris (D-Norwalk) to require any property or material constituting child pornography must remain in the state's custody and control. It also requires the court to deny any request by a defendant to copy, photograph, duplicate, or otherwise reproduce such material was approved by the Connecticut General Assembly as part of the state budget and recently signed into law by Governor M. Jodi Rell.
"This week, a US Attorney had to declare the distribution, by a Georgia Prosecutor, of a seized videotape of teenagers engaging in intercourse as child pornography and therefore illegal. Based on developments in Georgia this week, we are fortunate to have an act that clearly prohibits the dissemination of child pornography in the state's control, regardless of the purpose. It is reprehensible to think that a prosecutor would willfully distribute damaging material, however it did happen. I am proud to say that we have taken this important measure to protect the privacy of violated minors," said Rep Morris.
The new law will also allow the public safety commissioner to adopt regulations to implement provisions of one state and three federal laws to provide for national criminal history record checks to determine an employee's or volunteer's suitability and fitness to care for the safety and well-being of children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
"All precautions must be implemented to assure the safety of our most vulnerable citizens. People travel thoughout our nation daily. It isn't unreasonable for a person to have lived in three or more states during their lifetime. Therefore, it is essential to have a state criminal background repository that provides for national criminal history checks and regulations that assure safety," said Rep. Morris.
The effective date will be October 1, 2007.
Rep. Morris is serving his first term in the Connecticut General Assembly. He is a member of the Select Committee on Housing, Human Services, and Judiciary committees.
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State Rep. Bruce Morris
July 17, 2007
Legislation sponsored by state Representative Bruce Morris (D-Norwalk) to require any property or material constituting child pornography must remain in the state's custody and control. It also requires the court to deny any request by a defendant to copy, photograph, duplicate, or otherwise reproduce such material was approved by the Connecticut General Assembly as part of the state budget and recently signed into law by Governor M. Jodi Rell.
"This week, a US Attorney had to declare the distribution, by a Georgia Prosecutor, of a seized videotape of teenagers engaging in intercourse as child pornography and therefore illegal. Based on developments in Georgia this week, we are fortunate to have an act that clearly prohibits the dissemination of child pornography in the state's control, regardless of the purpose. It is reprehensible to think that a prosecutor would willfully distribute damaging material, however it did happen. I am proud to say that we have taken this important measure to protect the privacy of violated minors," said Rep Morris.
The new law will also allow the public safety commissioner to adopt regulations to implement provisions of one state and three federal laws to provide for national criminal history record checks to determine an employee's or volunteer's suitability and fitness to care for the safety and well-being of children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
"All precautions must be implemented to assure the safety of our most vulnerable citizens. People travel thoughout our nation daily. It isn't unreasonable for a person to have lived in three or more states during their lifetime. Therefore, it is essential to have a state criminal background repository that provides for national criminal history checks and regulations that assure safety," said Rep. Morris.
The effective date will be October 1, 2007.
Rep. Morris is serving his first term in the Connecticut General Assembly. He is a member of the Select Committee on Housing, Human Services, and Judiciary committees.
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