Washoe County Law Library Internet Safety Policy

As of May 4, 2023, it will be the policy of the Second Judicial District Court of Nevada and the Washoe County Law Library to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act [Pub.L.No.16-554 and 47 USC 254 (h)] (hereto referred to as CIPA) which requires the Court to implement internet traffic filtering on publicly accessible internet-connected terminals for protecting against access through said terminals to visual depictions that are I. Obscene, II. Child Pornography, or III. Harmful to Minors. This policy follows specific guidelines to provide filtered Internet access for all public access internet terminals at the Second Judicial District Court and the Washoe County Law Library.

The blocking / filtering software and hardware is inherently imprecise and flawed, it will inevitably block access to a variety of constitutionally protected material available on the Internet. Patrons are hereby notified that due to technological limitations of filtering software and constantly evolving Internet technology, filters are incapable of totally protecting against access to Internet material that is obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors.

Key terms are as defined in the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)

Technology Protection Measure: A specific technology that blocks or filters Internet access to visual depictions that are:

1. Obscene, as that term is defined in section 1460 of title 18, United States Code; or
2. Child Pornography, as that term is defined in section 2256 of title 17, United States Code; or
3. Harmful to minors, meaning any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:
   1. Taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;
   2. Depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and
   3. Taken as whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value to minors.

Sexual Act; Sexual Contact: meaning such terms defined in 2246 of title 18, United States Code.

Access to Inappropriate Materials: To the extent practical, technology protection measures (or “Internet filters”) shall be used to block or filter Internet or other forms of electronic communications or access to inappropriate information. Specifically, as required by CIPA, blocking shall be applied to visual depictions of material deemed obscene or child pornography, or to any material deemed harmful to minors. For individuals age 18 years and older technology protection measures may be disabled or minimized for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.

Inappropriate Network Usage: To the extent practical, steps shall be taken to promote the safety and security of users of the Second Judicial District Court’s and Washoe County Law Library’s public computer network Specifically, prevention of inappropriate network usage includes: (a) unauthorized access, including so-called “hacking”, and other unauthorized disclosure, (b) use and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors, (c) software piracy and violation of copyright or license agreements and (d) attempts to damage or alter equipment, software or hardware configurations. Individuals who violate these policies, after being warned, may be restricted from access to the Second Judicial District Court’s and the Washoe County Law Library’s public services. Law Enforcement may be contacted for assistance.

Privacy and Anonymity: Users will be able to access and use the Internet anonymously

Supervision and Monitoring: It shall be the responsibility of the Second Judicial District Court’s staff and the Washoe County Law Library’s staff to supervise and monitor usage of the online computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy and CIPA. Information about the ongoing blocking of content by filters required by CIPA will be made available by request.

Procedures for disabling or modification to technology protection measures shall be the responsibility of the Second Judicial District Court I.T. department at the direction of a member of Court Administration or management.