Bill would crack down on unwanted e-mail

March 5, 2001

(Columbus-AP) — A bill before Ohio lawmakers would force people who repeatedly send unwanted e-mails known as spam to pay ten dollars per message if found guilty of the practice.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Ron Amstutz, a Wooster Republican, generally prohibits people or businesses from sending unsolicited e-mail advertisements.

The legislation, one of the Republican-controlled Senate's top ten priority bills, would also prevent anyone from sending an e-mail advertisement without including a name, address and information on how to stop receiving the ads.

The bill makes exceptions for Internet companies that make receiving e-mail ads a condition of obtaining Internet service.

The bill also says an Internet service provider is not liable for transmitting a third party's e-mail advertisement through its network.