Senate Bill 130 aims to regulate the distribution of harmful and obscene material on the Internet, particularly concerning minors. The bill prohibits business entities from knowingly publishing or distributing material deemed harmful to minors unless they implement reasonable age verification methods to confirm that users are not under 18. The definition of "material harmful to minors" includes content that appeals to prurient interests, depicts sexual acts or body parts, and lacks serious value for minors. Additionally, the bill mandates that entities must prevent access from IP addresses associated with virtual private networks when distributing such material.
Furthermore, the bill explicitly prohibits the publication or distribution of obscene material or depictions of purported children. Violators may face civil liability, including damages and attorney fees, and cannot invoke sovereign immunity as a defense. The legislation also includes exemptions for bona fide news organizations and clarifies that Internet service providers are not liable for content they do not create. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance protections for minors against inappropriate online content while establishing clear guidelines for businesses operating in this space.