A bill for an act requiring persons who operate certain internet sites, applications, or a segment of an internet site or application that contains material pornographic for minors to perform reasonable age verification. (Formerly HF 62.) Effective date: 07/01/2026
Impact
HF864 will significantly alter how content is managed on platforms that distribute obscene material, tightening restrictions and establishing clear legal ramifications for non-compliance. The bill provides protections for individuals by mandating that covered platforms not retain any personal identifying information once age verification is completed. Additionally, it aims to enhance accountability among online service providers, which could influence broader discussions about digital privacy and content moderation policies across various internet platforms.
Summary
House File 864 (HF864) pertains to the regulation of commercial entities that publish or distribute obscene material on the internet. This bill establishes a framework requiring these entities, referred to as 'covered platforms,' to implement reasonable age verification practices to prevent minors from accessing inappropriate content. If a covered platform fails to comply, it could face civil penalties enforced by the attorney general, including fines up to $10,000 for each violation. Moreover, the bill also grants authority to the attorney general to pursue punitive damages up to three times the total amount of attorney fees incurred by plaintiffs who successfully bring forth such cases.
Contention
The introduction of HF864 has raised several points of contention among lawmakers and advocacy groups. Proponents emphasize the importance of protecting minors from exposure to harmful material online and view the bill as a necessary step in ensuring responsible digital citizenship. Conversely, critics argue that the age verification requirements could lead to excessive data collection and infringe on privacy rights, particularly if not managed with stringent oversight. There are concerns about the feasibility of implementing such systems without creating barriers for legitimate users while also addressing the potential for misuse of the data collected, even if retention is prohibited.
Similar To
A bill for an act relating to obscene material available on devices and imposing civil liability on certain entities who publish or distribute obscene material on the internet.(See HF 864.)
A bill for an act requiring persons who operate certain internet sites, applications, or a segment of an internet site or application that contains material pornographic for minors to perform reasonable age verification.(Formerly HF 2274.)
A bill for an act requiring persons who operate certain internet sites, applications, or a segment of an internet site or application that contains material pornographic for minors to perform reasonable age verification.(See HF 2606.)
Requires manufacturers of internet-enabled devices to conduct commercially reasonable age assurance to determine whether a user is a covered minor and shall provide all websites, online services, online applications and mobile applications on such user's internet-enabled device and/or application store manufactured by the covered manufacturer with a digital signal that such user is a covered minor via a real-time application programming interface (API).
A bill for an act relating to the dissemination and exhibition of obscene material to minors and providing penalties. (Formerly HF 64.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.
A bill for an act relating to filing applications and custody of the respondent in an involuntary commitment proceeding. (Formerly HF 139.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.