Topeka ? Public libraries would have to install technology to shield minors from Internet pornography and could not let them borrow R-rated videos under a bill given tentative House approval Wednesday.

The proposed “Children’s Internet Protection Act,” advanced to final action on a 93-27 vote, would require the state to pay for the computer software before the filtering requirements would take effect.

The measure would apply to city, county or township libraries but not to those in schools or universities. Minors could use non-filtered computers with parental permission.

“We constantly hear the phrase that times have changed, and I agree with that, but one thing has not changed — our responsibility to keep minors safe,” said Rep. Becky Hutchins, R-Holton, the measure’s leading proponent.

Critics said the bill represented the state taking on an issue best left to local communities. Concerns about the potential cost of software or other filtering technology were somewhat addressed by the provision for state funding.

“Universally, this is opposed by librarians,” said Rep. Rick Rehorn, D-Kansas City.

The House voted 74-45 to require the state to pay for filtering technology, although Hutchins questioned whether there would actually be an cost to libraries. Since December, the State Library has provided a filtering service to local libraries free of charge. Local libraries then route their Internet traffic through a central computer, which blocks access to certain Web addresses.

On a 96-24 vote, the House added an amendment suggested by Rep. Don Myers, R-Derby, to prohibit libraries from checking out R-rated videos or DVDs to anyone under 18, unless a parent or guardian were present.

Several legislators said they had heard of minors checking out R-rated videos from local libraries and watching them when parents were not home.

Critics noted that under Myers’ amendment, 17-year-olds could see R-rated movies in theaters unaccompanied by an adult but would not be able to check them out at a library without a parent present.

Myers responded, “The bigger question is, why do we even have R-rated films in publicly supported libraries?”

Library pornography is Sub for HB 2420.

On the Net:

Kansas Legislature: http://www.kslegislature.org