Bill > HB236

This bill establishes new provisions for civil liability related to publishing or distributing material harmful to minors on the internet. Specifically, the bill defines "material harmful to minors" as content that appeals to prurient interests, contains graphic sexual descriptions or depictions, and lacks serious artistic or scientific value for minors. Commercial entities that publish websites with more than 33% harmful content must implement reasonable age-verification methods to prevent minors from accessing such material. If a commercial entity fails to verify ages or improperly retains identifying information of individuals accessing the content, they can be held liable for damages in civil court. The bill includes important exceptions for news-gathering organizations and internet service providers, ensuring they are not held responsible for content they do not directly create. The legislation aims to protect minors from accessing sexually explicit or inappropriate online content by requiring websites to implement robust age verification processes, with potential financial penalties for non-compliance. The bill is designated as an emergency act, emphasizing the urgent need to safeguard children's online experiences.