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CIPA and NCIPA Requirements for Schools and Libraries

The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and the Neighborhood Children's Internet Protection Act went into effect in 2001, placing restrictions on funding for several of federal programs, including e-Rate, LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) and Title lll of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. These restrictions require that to obtain funding for computers, Internet access and related services, - applicants must certify they have Internet safety policies and technologies to filter certain visual materials from the Internet.

The CIPA and NCIPA requirements apply to only two e-Rate categories - Internet Access and Internal Connections. The requirements do not apply to the Telecommunications category.

CIPA Requirements for schools are different from those of libraries.

As a result of litigation, the filtering requirement does not currently apply to public and private libraries. However, this requirement CONTINUES to apply to schools or school libraries.

All applicants must have an Internet safety policy (including a public notice and hearing/meeting) in effect to receive e-Rate discounts for Internet Access or Internal Connections. Internet safety policies must address:

Access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web
The safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chatrooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications
Unauthorized access, including hacking, and other unlawful activities by minors online
Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors
Measures designed to restrict minors' access to materials harmful to minors.