The proposed bill aims to enhance age verification requirements for websites that host material deemed harmful to minors. It amends existing laws to define terms such as "covered platform," which refers to websites that regularly create or host harmful content, and introduces the concept of "reasonable age verification." This verification can be achieved through various means, including state-issued identification or credit card information. The bill establishes that covered platforms must implement these age verification measures to prevent minors from accessing harmful material, with violations classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class 6 felony for subsequent offenses.

Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of the attorney general or state's attorney in enforcing these provisions. They must provide written notice to a covered platform before initiating legal action for non-compliance, allowing the platform a chance to rectify the issue. If a platform is found in violation, it may face civil penalties of up to $5,000 per incident, with collected penalties directed to the state general fund. Importantly, the bill clarifies that these provisions do not apply to general-purpose search engines, internet service providers, or cloud service providers, thereby limiting the scope of the law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/03/2025: 22-24-27, 22-24-29, 22-24-58