Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SF2219

Introduced
2/5/24  
Introduced
2/5/24  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the regulation of access to obscene material by minors on social media platforms, and including effective date provisions.

Impact

If enacted, SF2219 would reshape laws pertaining to the responsibility of social media companies regarding child safety. Platforms that are proven to have facilitated or aided in the commercial sexual exploitation of a minor would face substantial statutory damages, potentially amounting to millions of dollars for each incident. This legislative move is expected to heighten the protections for minors navigating online spaces, holding platforms accountable for their content and user interactions.

Summary

Senate File 2219 aims to regulate access to obscene material by minors on social media platforms. It establishes requirements for platforms to provide means for users, specifically residents of Iowa, to report any material suspected to be child sexual abuse material. The bill mandates that these platforms must have reasonable processes in place to permanently block such material and must engage in efforts to remove other instances of the reported material to safeguard minors online. The law emphasizes accountability for social media platforms by imposing liabilities for failure to comply with the reporting procedures outlined in the bill.

Contention

The bill also specifies that social media companies cannot use certain defenses if they violate the provisions regarding reporting. This includes a lack of awareness about the victim's age not being a valid defense against fines or penalties. Thus, firms will need to establish stringent practices to not only adhere to the new laws but also to proactively ensure they are mitigating risks related to child exploitation via their networks.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA SF2227

A bill for an act relating to obscene material available on devices and imposing civil liability on platforms who publish or distribute obscene material on the internet and including effective date provisions.

IA HF2546

A bill for an act relating to minors using the internet, including social media and internet safety instruction and education requirements in public schools and liability for publication of obscene material available to minors on the internet.(Formerly HF 2114.)

IA HF2051

A bill for an act relating to obscene material available on devices and imposing civil liability on entities who publish or distribute obscene material on the internet.

IA HF278

A bill for an act relating to parental authorization for minors to create accounts on social media platforms, providing civil penalties, and including applicability provisions.(See HF 798.)

IA HF798

A bill for an act relating to parental authorization for minors to create accounts on social media platforms, providing civil penalties, and including applicability provisions.(Formerly HF 278.)

IA HF2523

A bill for an act relating to parental authorization for minors to create accounts on social media platforms, providing civil penalties, and including applicability provisions. (Formerly HF 2255.)

IA HF2255

A bill for an act relating to parental authorization for minors to create accounts on social media platforms, providing civil penalties, and including applicability provisions.(See HF 2523.)

IA SB693

Social media; requiring certain warning on social media platforms. Effective date.

IA SB765

Prohibits obscene or harmful materials from being accessible to minors in public schools and charter schools

IA SSB1189

A bill for an act relating to censorship of expression on online platforms, and providing penalties.(See SF 486.)

Similar Bills

CA AB1394

Commercial sexual exploitation: child sexual abuse material: civil actions.

CA AB1137

Reporting mechanism: child sexual abuse material.

CA AB385

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CA AB1756

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CA SB1018

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CA AB1628

Social media platforms: electronic content management: controlled substances.

CA AB576

Charitable giving: online fundraising.

HI SB2983

Relating To Solicitation Of Funds From The Public.