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SF 443

A bill for an act relating to certain commercial entities who publish or distribute obscene material on the internet, and providing civil penalties.

2025-2026 Regular Session

SF 443 requires covered platforms to perform reasonable age verification for obscene online material, with privacy protections and civil penalties for noncompliance.

Referred to Technology.
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Bill Summary · SF 443

Summary of SF 443 (Introduced February 26, 2025)

Overview

SF 443 applies to certain commercial entities that publish or distribute obscene material on the internet. It establishes civil penalties for covered platforms that fail to perform reasonable age verification for individuals attempting to access obscene material. The bill aims to reduce access by minors while allowing privacy-preserving verification methods. It also clarifies that users and providers that merely offer access to content or to platforms not under the provider’s control are not liable.

Key Definitions (as stated in the bill)

  • Covered platform
  • Identifying information
  • Information content provider
  • Interactive computer service
  • Obscene material
  • Provider
  • Reasonable age verification

(Note: The definitions are provided in the bill to frame who is subject to the requirements and liabilities.)

Core Provisions and Requirements

  • A covered platform must perform reasonable age verification for individuals attempting to access obscene material published or distributed by the platform.
  • Reasonable age verification can involve government-issued identification, financial documents, or other reliable proxies for age, or any other commercially reasonable and reliable method.
  • Verification may be performed by a third party subject to state jurisdiction, and cryptographic techniques may be used to preserve anonymity and protect privacy.
  • A covered platform or third party is prohibited from retaining an individual’s identifying information after completing the reasonable age verification and from distributing, selling, or disseminating that information obtained during verification.

Scope, Exemptions, and Liability

  • The bill explicitly excludes liability for: (a) a user of an interactive computer service; and (b) a provider solely for providing access or connection to a covered platform or to obscene material on an internet site or in a facility, system, or network not under the provider’s control.
  • Civil penalties apply to covered platforms that fail to perform the required reasonable age verification.

Privacy Protections

  • The bill permits privacy-preserving verification approaches, including cryptographic methods.
  • It prohibits retention and the dissemination of an individual’s identifying information obtained through the verification process.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Referred to Technology.
  • Legislative history:
    • Introduced February 26, 2025; placed on calendar.
    • February 26, 2025: Committee report approving the bill.
    • March 24, 2025: Attached to HF 864.
    • April 3, 2025: Placed on calendar under unfinished business.
    • June 16, 2025: Referred to Technology.

Potential Impact

  • Affects platforms that publish/distribute obscene material online by imposing a verification duty aimed at reducing minor access.
  • Could increase compliance costs and require privacy-focused verification solutions.
  • Balances enforcement with privacy by allowing third-party verifiers and cryptographic privacy protections.

This summary reflects the introduced text and stated legislative actions. Specific penalty amounts and enforcement mechanisms may be detailed in the full bill text or subsequent amendments.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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