RHODE ISLAND, April 12, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — A Rhode Island lawmaker has withdrawn a proposal bill to establish an Internet pornography filter that could be lifted with a $20 fee.
The bill had been proposed as “The Elizabeth Smart Law.”
According to a Washington Post article, Sen. Frank Ciccone said he pulled the bill after learning that Chris Sevier, the man who had pushed legislation around the country, was known for filing questionable lawsuits.
Sevier once filed a suit arguing that if gay people were allowed to marry, he should be permitted to wed his computer, according to reports.
Smart, a Park City resident, was kidnapped in 2002 at age 14, and survived nine months of abuse by her captor before she was recognized and recovered.
Now an author and a child safety activist, Smart reportedly had sent a cease-and-desist order to backers of the bill indicating she was in no way involved with the legislation and did not give permission for the use of her name.
According to reports, Sevier said he chose Smart’s name because she has spoken out against pornography.
