House Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to revise laws concerning minors' access to obscene content on devices via the internet. The bill mandates that all devices activated in Montana on or after January 1, 2026, must include a filter to prevent minors from accessing obscene content. It establishes liability for device manufacturers who fail to enable these filters and for individuals who remove the filters from devices used by minors, allowing them to access such content. The bill also provides definitions for key terms, including "device," "filter," "minor," and "obscene content," and outlines the responsibilities of manufacturers and individuals regarding the implementation and maintenance of these filters.

Additionally, the bill introduces a civil action that can be brought by a parent or legal guardian against manufacturers if a minor accesses obscene content due to a failure to comply with the filter requirements. It allows for the recovery of damages, including actual damages, punitive damages for willful violations, and attorney fees. The bill also clarifies that it does not apply to devices manufactured before the effective date and provides a delayed effective date of January 1, 2026, for its provisions. The previous section regarding actions by the attorney general has been deleted, and the new provisions are intended to be codified as part of Title 30, chapter 14, part 1.