Bill > AB105

This bill creates a new statute, 100.76, that addresses the distribution of certain materials to minors online. It defines "material harmful to minors" as content that appeals to prurient interests, depicts sexual acts or body parts in a way that is patently offensive to minors, and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for them. The bill requires any "business entity"—which includes various forms of companies and organizations—to implement "reasonable age verification methods," such as using government IDs or commercial systems that analyze transactional data, before publishing or distributing material harmful to minors on a website that contains a substantial portion of such content. It also prohibits business entities from knowingly publishing or distributing "obscene depictions of a purported child" online. The bill allows individuals to sue for violations, seeking damages and attorney fees, and states that sovereign immunity cannot be used as a defense. Enforcement can be carried out by state departments, with potential penalties including civil forfeitures. Importantly, the bill includes exemptions for bona fide news organizations and their employees, as well as for internet service providers, search engines, and cloud service providers who are not responsible for creating the harmful content and are merely providing access or related services.

Government Affairs, Health and Social Services

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab105