Tennessee House Bill HB2160

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/24
• Refer: 1/31/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8, Chapter 6 and Title 47, Chapter 18, relative to material harmful to minors.

Impact

If enacted, HB2160 will impose compliance obligations on commercial entities, creating a new standard for how content harmful to minors is managed online. The bill stipulates that these entities must provide subscribers the option to block access to websites containing harmful materials, necessitating changes in their operational procedures. Furthermore, the legislation includes provisions for penalties against entities that fail to adhere to these requirements, which could impact the overall behavior of online content providers in Tennessee.

Summary

House Bill 2160 aims to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, particularly addressing materials deemed harmful to minors. The bill introduces regulations requiring commercial entities that publish or distribute such material online to implement reasonable age verification methods. This regulation seeks to ensure that only individuals verified as adults can access content that could be potentially harmful, thereby enhancing protections for minors in the digital landscape.

Conclusion

Overall, HB2160 represents a significant shift in state policy aimed at increasing online safety for minors. While the bill's intentions are rooted in protecting children from harmful content, the balancing act between safety, privacy, and freedom of expression remains a critical aspect of the ongoing discussion surrounding its potential implementation.

Contention

The bill has raised concerns around potential overreach and the implications for freedom of speech. Critics may argue that defining what is 'harmful to minors' can be subjective, potentially allowing for broad interpretations that could restrict access to legitimate content. Another point of contention lies in the technical feasibility and privacy implications of the proposed age verification methods, particularly in how they may affect user data privacy and the retention of personally identifiable information.