Bill > SB901

This bill establishes comprehensive requirements for age verification on websites that contain a significant amount of sexual material harmful to minors. The legislation defines key terms like "age verification" (which can include digital identification or using government IDs or transactional data), "commercial entity", and "sexual material harmful to minors" (which covers sexually explicit content that could be considered offensive or inappropriate for minors). The bill mandates that websites with more than one-third sexually explicit content must implement reasonable age verification methods to ensure users are at least 18 years old. Commercial entities performing age verification are prohibited from retaining users' identifying information. Websites must also display specific warning notices about potential psychological and social harm from pornography, including statements about addiction, brain development risks, and connections to exploitation. The bill requires websites to include a helpline for mental health and substance abuse services. Importantly, the law exempts news organizations and does not hold internet service providers responsible for content they merely transmit. The attorney general is empowered to enforce these provisions, with potential civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for violations, and additional fines up to $250,000 if minors access prohibited content.

Justice

https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=309