Information technology and advanced telecommunications have a major impact on the economic vitality of states. NCSL covers telecommunications and information technology issues in several major categories: consumer affairs, crime, management, telecommunications, privacy and security, and legislative information technology. 

 

Internet and technology related crimes are raising many new legal and policy questions for state lawmakers. The safety of children on the Internet is a high priority for lawmakers, and a majority of states have laws that specifically target predators who solicit children online. State laws also address other computer crimes, including hacking and viruses, phishing, spyware, and cyberstalking.

 

As more consumers use technology, concerns about fraud and protecting consumers arise. Some of the consumer affairs issues NCSL has covered in this area include unsolicited communications, among others.

 

Legislative  information technology is becoming increasingly sophisticated and is providing citizens with enhanced access to the legislative process through the Internet and Web 2.0 tools.  Almost all states provide Internet or television broadcasts of legislative proceedings and legislatures are providing a variety of tools so that citizens can track bills, legislative actions and other activities. Preserving legislative digital records is another area of focus.

 

Privacy issues are a growing concern of Americans, especially as the Internet and technology have made personal information more accessible and easier to collect and manipulate.  NCSL tracks Internet privacy laws aimed at commercial websites, Internet service providers, and private employers.  NCSL has also featured information about security breach disclosure laws. Other areas covered include state actions related to electronic surveillance, radio frequency identification, and event data recorders in vehicles. Ten states have constitutional provisions that expressly provide greater privacy protections than those provided for in the U.S. Constitution.

 

Some of the general technology management issues NCSL tracks include emergency communications, nanotechnology, and Internet filtering laws applying to schools and libraries. 
 

Telecommunications technologies and the rapid changes they bring have created significant policy challenges for state lawmakers.  NCSL tracks broadband issues, 911, enhanced 911, video franchising, wireless communications and other telecommunications issues. 

 

Related NCSL groups include the NCSL Standing Committee on Communications, Technology and Interstate Commerce, the Task Force on State and Local Taxation of Communications and Electronic Commerce and the National Association of Legislative Information Technology.

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Internet and technology related crimes are raising many new legal and policy questions for state lawmakers.

The safety of children on the Internet is a high priority for lawmakers, and a majority of states have laws that specifically target predators who solicit children online. States are also looking to deter minors from "sexting"--sending sexually-explicit nude or semi-nude photos via cell phone. In addition, preventing child pornography is a major concern, and some states are requiring computer technicians to report to law enforcement if they encounter child pornography in the process of their work.

State laws also address other computer crimes, including hacking and viruses, phishing, spyware, and cyberstalking. Spyware, software often unknowingly downloaded onto a user’s computer, collects small information about a user which can then be used to track web-browsing patterns, or worse, capture passwords and other personal data. States are cracking down on spyware, and also on “phishing” crimes, in which fraudsters collect personal data by tricking users to believe they are entering information into a credible website or email communication.

This website is organized around the following key issues related to technology crime:

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Twenty-five states have Internet filtering laws that apply to publicly funded schools or libraries. The majority of these states simply require school boards or public libraries to adopt Internet use policies to prevent minors from gaining access to sexually explicit, obscene or harmful materials. However, some states also require publicly funded institutions to install filtering software on library terminals or school computers.

NCSL's Transforming Health Care Through Technology project  highlights the important role of states in promoting emerging technologies aimed at improving health care delivery. Resources from the project include webinars, papers and other information about how new technologies can enhance the delivery and effectiveness of health care. 

Nanotechnology and Nanoscience study the manipulation and control of matter at the nano level (a nanometer is one billionth of a meter). This science of the very small is a growing field that experts say has the potential to profoundly change society and significantly impact the economy.  Over the past several years, a number of states have introduced legislation to support nanotechnology education and economic development initiatives to entice this growing industry to their states. NCSL has resources for both laws and legislation regarding nanotechnology.

This website is organized around the following key issues related to Information Technology and Management:

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Legislative  information technology is becoming increasingly sophisticated and is providing citizens with enhanced access to the legislative process through the Internet and Web 2.0 tools.  As legislatures become more entrenched in digital media, the preservation of data has also become a higher priority.

Almost all states provide Internet or television broadcasts of legislative proceedings and legislatures are providing wireless access in capitol buildings and tools so that citizens can track bills, legislative actions and other activities. Live webcasts or broadcasts of legislative proceedings are available from at least one chamber in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Many legislatures also offer webcasts of all or selected committee hearings. More than half the states also archive floor proceedings, and about half archive some or all committee proceedings (for varying lengths of time). Many states also broadcast some legislative proceedings on television.

Legislatures and legislators are also utilizing social media services, like Facebook and Twitter, to connect with constituents. Using social media, however, has raised legal and policy concerns.

This website includes information about various issues related to Legislative Information Technology, such as:

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Privacy issues are a growing concern of Americans, especially as the Internet and technology have made personal information more accessible and easier to collect and manipulate.  NCSL tracks Internet privacy laws aimed at commercial websites, Internet service providers, and private employers.  

We also track personal privacy laws as they relate to cyberstalking, cyberharassment, and cyberbullying, as well as laws to protect the privacy of 911 caller information. Personal identifying information is often collected by businesses and stored in various formats, both digital and traditional paper. With identity theft a growing problem in the country, many states have passed laws that require entities to destroy, dispose, or otherwise make personal information unreadable or undecipherable, in order to protect an individual’s privacy.

NCSL has also featured information about security breach disclosure laws. Other areas covered include state actions related to electronic surveillance, radio frequency identification, and event data recorders in vehicles. Ten states have constitutional provisions that expressly provide greater privacy protections than those provided for in the U.S. Constitution.

This website is organized around the following key issues related to Privacy and Security:

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Telecommunications technologies and the rapid changes they bring have created significant policy challenges for state lawmakers.  NCSL tracks broadband issues, 911, enhanced 911, NG911, consumer issues, wireless communications and other telecommunications issues. 

High-speed broadband is considered by many to be a fundamental vehicle for new services and applications that are critical to the nation’s economic vitality. State legislative involvement has been critical to successful implementation of a variety of broadband projects. NCSL has information regarding state broadband statutes and legislation.

The design of the current 911 system is based on circuit switched equipment, not data-based communications. Yet, text messaging and instant messaging are increasingly becoming more common methods of communication compared to the traditional two way voice telephone calls. Our nation’s 911 system is being pushed to the brink as technology in the hands of consumers rapidly outpaces the capabilities of the current system. States have enacted a variety of laws that update the current 911 system. This website is organized around the following key issues related to Telecommunications Technology & Regulation: