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HB 3030

SOCIAL MEDIA-OBSCENE&HARMFUL

104th Regular Session Introduced by Janet Yang Rohr

Platforms must promptly remove credible unlawful obscene or harmful computer-generated depictions within 24 hours of report and report credible cases to the Illinois AG for enforce

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 3030

Summary — HB 3030 (Removal of Unlawful Publications of Obscene and Harmful Depictions On Social Media Platforms Act)

Status: Introduced Feb. 6, 2025; House Committee Amendment No. 1 filed Mar. 5, 2025; re‑referred to Rules Committee (Rule 19(c)) Mar. 21, 2025. Effective date: upon becoming law.

Purpose

The bill requires social media platforms to promptly investigate reports that an “obscene” or otherwise “harmful” computer‑generated depiction has been unlawfully published on the platform, to remove such images quickly when reports are found credible, and to report credible occurrences (with identifying information) to the Illinois Attorney General. It also authorizes the Attorney General to sue for violations and seek various remedies.

Key provisions

  • Removal timeline: After a user or other person reports an allegedly unlawful obscene or harmful “depiction by computer,” the platform must investigate the report for credibility and — if the report is deemed credible — remove the subject image within 24 hours of the report’s submission.
  • Reporting to Attorney General: If a platform finds a report credible, it must forward the report to the Office of the Attorney General and include “any and all identifying information” of the publisher of the image.
  • Attorney General enforcement: The Attorney General may bring actions in the name of the People of Illinois to:
    • Enjoin violations;
    • Obtain restitution of money or property obtained by the violation;
    • Seek disgorgement of profits;
    • Recover damages caused by the violation;
    • Impose civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation;
    • Obtain other relief, including preliminary relief.
  • Definitions (select):
    • “Depiction by computer”: computer data or program that, when processed, results in a visual depiction displayed on a screen (includes computer‑generated or altered images/videos).
    • “Obscene depiction”: a visual representation that (1) appeals to prurient interest under contemporary adult community standards and (2) lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value when taken as a whole.
    • “Harm”: physical harm, economic harm, reputational injury, or emotional distress (whether or not accompanied by physical/economic harm).
    • “Social media platform”: an Internet‑based public or semi‑public service or application whose main function is to connect users for social interaction and that lets users create profiles, build social connection lists, and create/post content viewable by others. (House Amendment No. 1 clarifies that services consisting primarily of non‑user‑generated news/sports/entertainment content are excluded — even if they have incidental chat/comments/interactive features.)

Who is affected

  • Social media platforms that meet the bill’s definitional criteria and operate in Illinois (the text references Illinois jurisdiction).
  • Users/publishers of images on those platforms (publication could be within or outside the State).
  • The Illinois Attorney General, which gains investigatory and enforcement authority under the Act.

Procedural/timing notes

  • Introduced by Rep. Janet Yang Rohr (Feb. 6, 2025).
  • Referred through Rules, Judiciary — Civil, and Higher Education committees; House Amendment No. 1 was filed Mar. 5, 2025 and subsequently applied.
  • The bill text as filed contains some formatting/typographical irregularities; this summary reflects the bill’s apparent substantive provisions.

Considerations

  • Operational impacts on platforms: 24‑hour removal and mandatory reporting could require increased moderation capacity and data retention/transfer practices.
  • Legal reach: enforcement language permits actions against persons “within or outside” the State and imposes civil penalties per violation.
  • Potential legal issues: the bill’s definitions and removal/penalty scheme may raise questions about free expression, due process for content publishers, and how “credibility” is determined in practice.

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

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