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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah computer technicians could now face jail time if they don't immediately report child pornography they discover on someone's computer.
Republican Gov. Gary Herbert signed a law Monday requiring computer technicians report child pornography to law enforcement, a federal cyber tip line or a designated employee.
The new requirement mirrors laws already on the books in at least a dozen other U.S. states
The law would allow computer technicians to disregard confidentiality agreements that are common with their clients, and protect them from being sued by the companies or an employee.
Related:
Pornography declared 'public health crisis'; Elder Holland calls it an 'infectious, fatal epidemic'
Utah lawmakers took a bold step in the final minutes of the 2016 Legislative Session. Late Friday night, the Utah House of Representatives passed a resolution declaring pornography a public health crisis. The resolution is the first of its kind in the country.The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has said it supports the law, saying technological advances have allowed people to create, possess and distribute increasingly large collections of child pornography.
Critics say the law is somewhat superfluous, as computer technicians are likely already reporting child pornography.
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