Bill > H222

This bill establishes the "Internet Crimes Investigation Fund" to combat identity theft and online predators targeting internet users. Internet service providers, defined as entities providing internet access for a fee or in exchange for viewing ads, will be required to collect and remit a fee of 15 cents per month for each consumer account to the department of revenue. This fee is intended to fund the state police's efforts in investigating and prosecuting individuals who commit sex crimes against children, facilitate the trading of child pornography, or engage in fraudulent schemes online, as well as to support computer forensic examinations and law enforcement training related to internet crimes. Internet service providers are permitted to retain 3% of collected fees annually for administrative costs and are explicitly prohibited from charging this fee directly to consumers, as doing so would be considered an unfair and deceptive practice. The bill also mandates that the attorney general submit an annual report to the legislature detailing the fund's status and expenditures.