HB1312 Summary: Social Networking Website Access Restriction Act

• Creates the Social Networking Website Access Restriction Act requiring social networking website owners to obtain and maintain written parental permission in a database before allowing minors under 18 to access the site.

• Mandates website operators implement age verification procedures for all users and verify the status of parents/guardians granting permission; operators must provide parents unlimited access to their child's profile webpage at all times.

• Prohibits registered sex offenders from hosting or accessing social networking websites.

• Establishes criminal penalties: a registered sex offender who knowingly accesses a minor's profile webpage is guilty of a Class 4 felony for a first offense and Class 3 felony for subsequent offenses.

• Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make knowing violations of the Social Networking Website Access Restriction Act an unlawful practice; each day of non-compliance constitutes a separate violation.