HB 4825

Abstract

Creates the Family and School Communications Protection Registry Act. Requires the Attorney General to establish and operate, or contract with a qualified third party to establish and operate, a Family and School Communications Protection Registry. Provides that a parent, guardian, individual, or an entity, who is responsible for a contact point to which a minor may have access, may register that contact point with the Attorney General. Provides that a person shall not send, cause to be sent, or conspire with a third party to send a message to a contact point that has been registered for more than 30 calendar days with the Attorney General if the primary purpose of the message is to, directly or indirectly, advertise or otherwise link to a message that advertises a product or service that a minor is prohibited by law from purchasing, viewing, possessing, participating in, or otherwise receiving. Provides that, except in specified instances, a person shall not release information concerning another person or provide access to contact points or other information contained on the Family and School Communications Protection Registry. Establishes certain exceptions to a violation of the Act. Provides that if the Attorney General has reason to believe that a person has violated the Act, he or she may investigate the business transaction of that person. Provides civil and criminal penalties for a violation of the Act. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to exempt information contained in the Family and School Communications Protection Registry from the requirements of the Act. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Family and School Communications Registry Fund. Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that a person commits the offense of communication registry violation when he or she knowingly violates the Family and School Communications Protection Registry Act. Provides that a person who commits the offense of communication registry violation shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor for the first offense, a Class A misdemeanor for the second offense, and a Class 4 felony for each subsequent offense after the second offense. Effective immediately.