S.D. Senate Passes Porn Age-Verification Bill
The South Dakota Senate on Wednesday passed a bill requiring adult websites to verify user age (see 2502190022).
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The Senate voted 34-0 to approve an amended version of HB-1053, which passed the House in January.
Introduced by Sen. Jim Mehlhaff (R) and Rep. Bethany Soye (R), HB-1053 would be enforced by the attorney general. Websites would be able to verify age via ID, bank account information, credit card information or “any other method or document that reliably and accurately indicates” a user is a minor.
The American Civil Liberties Union issued a statement in opposition Wednesday, citing privacy and free speech issues. South Dakota Advocacy Manager Samantha Chapman said: “Is there harmful content on the internet for young viewers? Undoubtedly. But not every societal ill requires a solution from the government. We can, and should, make the internet safer for minors. But we can do this without sacrificing our privacy and Constitutional rights.”