The "Protection of Minors from Pornography and Obscenities Act" aims to strengthen South Carolina's laws regarding the dissemination of harmful materials to minors. The bill amends Section 16-15-375 to redefine "harmful to minors" to include any portion of materials that may be considered obscene, and introduces a new definition for "profane language." Additionally, it revises Section 16-15-385 to limit the affirmative defense for disseminating harmful materials to minors strictly to the teaching of age-appropriate sex education and human biology, thereby closing existing loopholes that allowed for broader interpretations of what constitutes acceptable content for minors.

The bill emphasizes the intent of the General Assembly to prohibit the dissemination of any materials deemed harmful to minors, regardless of whether the obscene content is present in part or throughout the material. It also clarifies that the affirmative defense for educational institutions is strictly limited to specific educational contexts and requires prior written consent from a minor's parent or guardian. The act will take effect upon approval by the Governor, reinforcing the state's commitment to protecting minors from exposure to inappropriate content.

Statutes affected:
03/04/2025: 16-15-375, 16-15-385
Latest Version: 16-15-375, 16-15-385