The proposed bill aims to enhance the protection of minors from accessing harmful material online by mandating that "covered platforms" implement reasonable age verification methods. This includes verifying the age of individuals attempting to access such material through various means, such as state-issued identification or credit card information. The bill establishes penalties for non-compliance, categorizing violations as Class 1 misdemeanors for initial offenses and Class 6 felonies for subsequent violations. Additionally, it outlines that any covered platform found in violation may face civil penalties of up to $5,000 for each instance of non-compliance, with the attorney general responsible for enforcing these penalties.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions to protect the privacy of individuals undergoing age verification, prohibiting covered platforms or third parties from selling or retaining any identifying information collected during the process. It also stipulates that the attorney general must provide written notice to a covered platform before initiating legal action for non-compliance, allowing the platform a chance to rectify the issue within a specified timeframe. Importantly, the bill exempts general-purpose search engines, internet service providers, and cloud service providers from these requirements, thereby limiting the scope of the legislation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/14/2025: 22-24-27, 22-24-29, 22-24-58
House Engrossed, 01/21/2025: 22-24-27, 22-24-29, 22-24-58
Enrolled, 02/20/2025: 22-24-27, 22-24-29, 22-24-58