Creates requirement that users must provide government-issued identification prior to viewing pornographic materials provided by commercial entities on the internet
If enacted, HB 2375 would amend Chapter 407 of Missouri’s Revised Statutes to add a new section establishing these requirements. The legislation aims to protect minors by establishing strict liability for commercial entities that fail to implement these age verification measures. Should any minor access harmful material due to non-compliance with these guidelines, the entity could face legal action and significant penalties, reflecting a shift in how internet safety is addressed at the legislative level. Furthermore, entities found retaining identifying information after granting access would be held liable, further enforcing compliance with the requirements.
House Bill 2375 introduces requirements for users to provide government-issued identification to access pornographic materials on the internet, put forth by Representative Christensen. The bill seeks to mitigate the exposure of minors to harmful content by mandating that commercial entities, such as websites distributing such materials, implement effective age verification methods. These methods may include but are not limited to, employing commercial age-verification systems and government-issued ID checks, aiming to ensure individuals accessing such content are at least eighteen years of age. Notably, the bill aims to uphold community standards concerning the portrayal of explicit material online, emphasizing its potential societal implications.
There may be contention surrounding HB 2375 as it layers additional regulations on internet-based businesses, raising concerns about the balance between protecting minors and infringing on privacy rights. Proponents of the bill argue for the urgent need to safeguard youth from harmful material, leveraging the necessity of age verification as a public safety measure. Conversely, critics might express concerns regarding the feasibility of implementing such verification processes without imposing undue burdens on businesses, or the potential for misuse of retained data, complicating the legality and ethics involved with age verification on the internet.