The bill HB2586 aims to hold commercial entities accountable for distributing material harmful to minors on their websites by imposing civil liability if they fail to implement reasonable age verification methods. Specifically, it defines a "substantial portion" of harmful material as more than 33.33% of the total content on a website. If a minor accesses such material due to a violation of the age verification requirement, the commercial entity can be liable for damages, including court costs and attorney fees. Additionally, the bill prohibits entities performing age verification from retaining any identifying information of individuals after access is granted.

The bill also clarifies that certain organizations, such as bona fide news or public interest entities, are exempt from these liabilities. It further specifies that internet service providers and related entities are not liable for merely providing access to harmful content. Definitions for key terms such as "commercial entity," "material harmful to minors," and "reasonable age verification method" are included to provide clarity on the bill's application. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance online safety for minors while balancing the rights of news-gathering organizations and internet service providers.