Massachusetts H 1626

Age verification mandate for uploaders and users of “pornographic internet website[s]” enforced through private lawsuits.

Uploaders
Prohibits the operators of pornographic websites from knowingly allowing a user to upload sexually explicit content unless the user has submitted:

• a statement signed under penalty of perjury that the individual is at least 18 years old and has consented to the sexually explicit content being uploaded; and
• information to allow the operator to contact the user seeking to upload the content.

Users
Requires age verification using:

• a commercially available database that is regularly used by businesses or governmental entities for the purpose of age and identity verification; or
• another commercially reasonable method of age and identity verification.

The bill would also require the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Department of Higher Education to create a public awareness campaign about the law itself and the dangers of uploading sexually explicit content unless all persons depicted in such content are at least 18 years of age and have consented to the content being uploaded to the internet.