Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association, along with its co-plaintiff NetChoice, has filed a motion asking a federal appellate court for an expedited hearing on the merits of its First Amendment challenge to Florida’s HB3. The law effectively rations internet access and forces all Florida residents to turn over personal information in order to use the internet. Enforcement of the law had been on hold since a district judge granted a preliminary injunction ahead of the full review on the merits, saying the Florida law was likely unconstitutional and blocking much of it from taking effect.
Last week a divided 11th Circuit Court of Appeals stayed the injunction, which clears a path for Florida to begin enforcing this law.
The following can be attributed to Stephanie Joyce, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff, who is the Director of CCIA’s Litigation Center:
“Florida’s statute violates the First Amendment by blocking and restricting minors – and likely adults as well – from using several websites for viewing lawful content. We look forward to seeing this statute permanently blocked as a violation of Floridians’ constitutional rights. Parents should decide what their children see online – not the state of Florida. We are asking the court to expedite a full hearing so we can demonstrate in court that this law must be struck down.”
