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Bill > S0591


SC S0591

SC S0591
Children's Default to Safety Act


summary

Introduced
03/02/2023
In Committee
03/02/2023
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
05/09/2024

Introduced Session

125th General Assembly

Bill Summary

A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS so as TO ENACT THE "CHILDREN'S DEFAULT TO SAFETY ACT"; BY ADDING ARTICLE 3 TO CHAPTER 1, TITLE 63 SO AS TO PROVIDE PROTECTIONS FOR CHILDREN AGAINST UNFILTERED DEVICES; TO PROVIDE NECESSARY DEFINITIONS; TO REQUIRE MANUFACTURERS OF SMART PHONES AND TABLETS TO AUTOMATICALLY ENABLE AND PASSCODE PROTECT THE FILTERS BLOCKING MATERIAL HARMFUL TO MINORS ON DEVICES ACTIVATED IN THIS STATE; TO SUBJECT MANUFACTURERS TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ARTICLE; AND TO SUBJECT INDIVIDUALS TO CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LIABILITY FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ARTICLE; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-17-490, RELATING TO CONTRIBUTING TO DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR, SO AS TO PROHIBIT PROVIDING A PASSCODE TO REMOVE THE PORNOGRAPHY FILTER FOR AN INTERNET ACCESSIBLE DEVICE BY SOMEONE OTHER THAN A MINOR'S PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN; AND DESIGNATE SECTIONS 63-1-10 THROUGH 63-1-50 AS ARTICLE 1, ENTITLED "GENERAL PROVISIONS".

AI Summary

This bill, known as the "Youth Protection from Internet Pornography Act," aims to protect minors from accessing harmful material on internet-connected devices. It requires manufacturers of smartphones and tablets activated in South Carolina to automatically enable and password-protect content filters that block access to material deemed harmful to minors. The bill also subjects manufacturers to civil and criminal liability if their devices do not comply, and allows parents or legal guardians to take legal action against manufacturers or individuals who provide passcodes to remove the filters. The bill also adds a new criminal offense for providing a passcode to remove the filter on a minor's device, with fines and potential jail time for repeat offenders.

Committee Categories

Military Affairs and Security

Sponsors (13)

Last Action

Senate FVS Select Subcommittee (00:00:00 5/10/2023 Gressette Room 207) (on 05/10/2023)

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