Bill > HB1839

This bill, by adding Section 407.3405 to Missouri law, establishes civil liability for commercial entities that knowingly and intentionally publish or distribute material harmful to minors on the internet, defining such material as that which appeals to prurient interest, is patently offensive, and lacks serious value for minors. Commercial entities whose websites are more than one-third sexual material harmful to minors must use a third party for age verification, ensuring individuals accessing the content are at least eighteen years old, with the third party prohibited from retaining any identifying information. This requirement does not apply to bona fide news organizations or public interest broadcasts, and internet service providers, search engines, or cloud service providers are not liable solely for providing access to content they did not create. The Attorney General is empowered to enforce these provisions, seeking damages, injunctive relief, and civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for violating age verification requirements, $10,000 per instance for retaining identifying information, and up to an additional $250,000 if minors accessed harmful material.

Government Affairs, Health and Social Services, Justice

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1839&year=2026&code=R