Bill > SB544

This bill aims to revise internet laws related to material harmful to minors. It proposes to hold commercial entities liable if they knowingly and intentionally publish or distribute such material online without performing reasonable age verification methods to ensure minors cannot access it. The bill defines "material harmful to minors" as content that appeals to the prurient interest of minors, contains explicit sexual depictions, and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. It allows individuals to sue these commercial entities for damages if a minor accesses the material, including court costs and attorney's fees. The bill provides exceptions for news-gathering organizations and exempts internet service providers, search engines, and cloud service providers from liability in certain cases. It requires the Department of Justice to report on enforcement actions taken under this law annually.

Business and Industry, Justice

https://laws.leg.mt.gov/legprd/LAW0210W$BSIV.ActionQuery?P_BILL_NO1=544&P_BLTP_BILL_TYP_CD=SB&Z_ACTION=Find&P_SESS=20231