FIC Blog

Consumer Protection is recommending passage of a Children’s Protection Registry law, a concept FIC supports. From the AP:

HARTFORD, Conn. — A state agency report has recommended that lawmakers create a registry to shield youngsters from the marketing of illegal or illicit products, despite a constitutional challenge to a similar Utah database.

The Department of Consumer Protection said a registry of “contact points” used by children – such as e-mail addresses, cell phone, pager and fax numbers – would help prevent illicit or illegal products and services from being marketed to minors.

If the report’s recommendations become law, Connecticut will be the third state to establish a registry for parents and legal guardians to place their child’s cell phone number or e-mail address on a “Do Not Call” list. Michigan, in addition to Utah, has such a registry.

Despite the sex industry’s lawsuit in Utah and misgivings expressed by Rep. Michael Lawlor, the expected bill is supported by the governor:

“Governor Rell believes we have an obligation to protect minors from commercial messages that are inappropriate to their age, commercial messages that solicit them to buy items that they are already precluded by law from buying – like pornography, illegal drugs, firearms and other weapons,” said Adam Liegeot, a spokesman for Rell.

“The governor feels that a registry can be created which insures the privacy of both registrants and senders while providing real benefits to law enforcement,” he said.