This bill proposes the creation of a new section in chapter 51-07 of the North Dakota Century Code that establishes liability for commercial entities that publish or distribute mature content. It mandates that covered manufacturers, which include device manufacturers and operating system providers, must implement age verification measures to determine if a primary user is under eighteen years of age. The bill outlines specific requirements for websites, applications, or online services that provide mature content, including blocking access for users identified as minors and providing disclaimers about the nature of the content. Additionally, it stipulates that violations of these provisions may result in a fine of ten thousand dollars per violation.

The bill also grants the attorney general exclusive authority to enforce these regulations and allows for the adoption of necessary rules for enforcement. Covered manufacturers are protected from liability if they have taken reasonable steps to verify user age. However, the bill explicitly states that it does not create a private right of action and exempts bona fide news or public interest content from its provisions. The effective date for this legislation is set for August 1, 2026.