HB 1561-FN (1998): preventing computer pornography and child exploitation and increasing penalties for possession under the child pornography laws.
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@misc{bill-1998-hb1561, title = {HB 1561-FN (1998): preventing computer pornography and child exploitation and increasing penalties for possession under the child pornography laws.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/1998/hb1561}, note = {Accessed 24 Oct. 2026} }
HB 1561-FN (1998)
preventing computer pornography and child exploitation and increasing penalties for possession under the child pornography laws.
- Status: Signed into law
- Term: 1997-1998
- House committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
- Senate committee: Judiciary
- Subject: Crimes, Criminal Procedure and Corrections
- Chapter law: 361
The Story
It was introduced on January 7, 1998 and referred to the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 11, 1998. The majority of the committee recommended that the House pass it with changes unanimously, 17–0, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 5, 1998 the House voted to pass it with changes. It crossed to the Senate on March 19, 1998 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 8, 1998. The committee voted 5–2 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes. On June 10, 1998 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On June 10, 1998 the House voted to reject the other chamber's changes. On June 10, 1998 the Senate adopted “Accede to Request for Committee of Conference”. A committee of conference met on June 16, 1998 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. On June 18, 1998 the Senate adopted “Conference Committee Report” on a voice vote. On June 18, 1998 the House adopted “Conference Committee Report”. The bill was enrolled on June 18, 1998 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on June 26, 1998, making it Chapter 361 of the session laws. It took effect on January 1, 1999.
Sponsors
- Rep. Cardin (Hills 32) (prime sponsor)
- Rep. Adams (Merr 9)
- Rep. Knowles (Straf 11)
- Rep. Micklon (Rock 26)
- Rep. MacAuslan (Hills 30)
Hearings and Sessions
- February 11, 1998, 10:30 AM: hearing, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, RM204,LOB
- April 8, 1998, 12:30 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, RM103, ST HOUSE
- June 16, 1998, 9:00 AM: committee of conference, RM204,LOB
Votes
- June 10, 1998, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment — voice vote, passed
- June 18, 1998, Senate: Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
The Docket
- January 7, 1998: INTRODUCED AND REF TO CRIM JUST & PSFTY; HJ3,P112
- January 7, 1998: COPY TO CHAIRMAN ON 12/18/97 DUE ON 02/20/98
- February 11, 1998: HEARING FEB11 10:30 RM204,LOB FOR: CRIM JUST
- February 19, 1998: MAJ REPORT OTP/AM FOR MAR05 (VOTE 17-0;CC)
- February 19, 1998: PROP COMM AM<0852>; HC16,P813-815
- March 5, 1998: PASSED WITH AM; HJ21,P1093-1095 + 1167
- March 19, 1998: INTRODUCED AND REF TO JUDICIARY; SJ7,P162
- April 8, 1998: HEARING APR08 12:30 RM103, ST HOUSE FOR: JUD
- June 9, 1998: COMM REPORT OTP/AM JUN10 (VOTE 5-2)
- June 9, 1998: PROP COMM AM<2072>; SC40,P18-19
- June 10, 1998: COMM AM, AA VV; PASSED WITH AM VV; SJ19,P568-569 + 605
- June 10, 1998: HOUSE NONC WITH SEN AM REQ CONF COMM, REP DAVID WELCH MA 2/3; HJ57,P2164
- June 10, 1998: <SPKR APPTS REPS: HUNTER, CHRISTIE, DAVID WELCH & SCHANDA>
- June 10, 1998: SEN ACCEDED TO REQ FOR CONF COMM, SEN SQUIRES MA; SJ19,P608
- June 10, 1998: <PRES APPTS SENS: SQUIRES, FRANCOEUR & PIGNATELLI>
- June 16, 1998: CONF COMM MEETING JUN16 9:00 RM204,LOB
- June 16, 1998: CONF COMM REPORT (SENATE AM) FILED
- June 18, 1998: CONF COMM REPORT ADOPTED VV; SJ20,P673
- June 18, 1998: CONF COMM REPORT ADOPTED; HJ60,P2220
- June 18, 1998: ENROLLED; HJ64,P2271
- June 18, 1998: ENROLLED; SJ20,P707
- June 26, 1998: SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 06/26/98 EFF: 01/01/99 CHAP.0361
Laws It Would Change
Related Bills
- HB 1448 (1996): allowing judges to authorize by telephone the use of eavesdropping devices in life threatening situations.