[Congressional Bills 118th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4571 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4571 To define ``obscenity'' for purposes of the Communications Act of 1934, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 18, 2024 Mr. Lee introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To define ``obscenity'' for purposes of the Communications Act of 1934, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Interstate Obscenity Definition Act''. SEC. 2. DEFINING OBSCENITY. (a) Definition.-- (1) In general.--Section 3 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 153) is amended-- (A) by redesignating paragraphs (38) through (59) as paragraphs (39) through (60), respectively; and (B) by inserting after paragraph (37) the following: ``(38) Obscene; obscenity.-- ``(A) In general.--The term `obscene' or `obscenity', when used in a manner or context that explicitly refers to, or could apply to, a picture, image, graphic image file, film, videotape, or other visual depiction, includes a picture, image, graphic image file, film, videotape, or other visual depiction that-- ``(i) taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion; ``(ii) depicts, describes, or represents, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or lewd exhibition of the genitals, with the objective intent to arouse, titillate, or gratify the sexual desires of a person; and ``(iii) taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. ``(B) Sexual act; sexual contact.--For purposes of subparagraph (A), the terms `sexual act' and `sexual contact' have the meanings given those terms in section 2246 of title 18, United States Code.''. (2) Technical and conforming amendment.--Section 271(c)(1)(A) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 271(c)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ``section 3(47)(A)'' and inserting ``section 3(55)(A)''. (b) Obscene or Harassing Telephone Calls in the District of Columbia or in Interstate or Foreign Communications.--Section 223(a)(1)(A) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 223(a)(1)(A)) is amended, in the undesignated matter following clause (ii), by striking ``, with intent to abuse, threaten, or harass another person''. <all>