Iowa Senate Bill SF2227

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/24
• Refer: 2/6/24

Caption

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.

Impact

The bill allows parents or guardians of minors exposed to harmful material to seek damages of $5,000 per instance where appropriate age verification was not conducted. This provision significantly impacts online platforms and alters the legal landscape regarding children’s access to online content. Furthermore, the bill protects whistleblowers and individuals from being penalized for bringing forth such cases, thereby encouraging proactive monitoring and compliance among internet service providers.

Summary

Senate File 2227, known as the Age Verification for Websites Containing Material Harmful to Minors Act, seeks to address online safety by imposing civil liability on platforms that publish or distribute materials deemed harmful to minors. The legislation mandates that covered platforms implement reasonable age verification measures to prevent access to such content by individuals classified as minors. The bill specifically defines harmful materials, including obscene and indecent content, thus broadening the scope of what can be considered violative under this law.

Contention

Despite its protective intentions, SB 2227 has faced criticism regarding the broad definitions of 'harmful material' and potential overreach in government control over digital content. Opponents argue that strict liability standards could lead to increased censorship practices among platforms that may restrict access to content to avoid litigation risks. Proponents of the bill argue that it is necessary for safeguarding the mental and emotional well-being of minors, asserting that the age verification requirements are a vital step in addressing online dangers.

Effective_date

The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2025, giving stakeholders time to prepare for the new regulations. The eventual implementation of SB 2227 will lead to significant changes in how internet platforms operate, specifically regarding their policies on age verification and content management for minors.