SACRAMENTO [recordnet.com]- – Legislation to require computer technicians to report any pornographic images of children they may stumble upon while fixing a machine was rejected Tuesday by the Senate Public Safety Committee.

Sponsored by Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani, D-Stockton, the bill would have extended existing law requiring film developers to report kiddie porn to those who repair computers. With the decline in film use as digital photography becomes mainstream, Galgiani says it only makes sense.

Arkansas, Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina and South Dakota already require computer techs to report illegal photos or movies, and Connecticut is debating the issue.

After Public Safety Committee Chairwoman Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, said she opposed the bill, two of her Democratic colleagues chose not to vote on it, and the measure died 2-1-2. Sen. Dave Cogdill, a Modesto Republican who represents much of San Joaquin County, was one of the two “aye” votes.

Opponents maintain broadening the law would invade computer users’ privacy and create a slippery slope of forcing many other occupations to become abuse watchdogs.

A similar bill died in the Senate Public Safety Committee last year. Galgiani’s bill had passed the Assembly 73-0 last month.