Texas SB 2021

Louisiana copycat (Requires use of commercial age verification systems on websites that contain "a substantial portion of material that may be harmful to minors.”) with additional provision that requires websites to add “health warnings” about the supposed dangers of pornography. Would take effect September 1, 2023.

Learn more about pending AVS legislation with FSC's Age Verification Bill Tracker

Latest Action: Failed to pass before the end of the legislative session on May 23, 2023
Deadline: May 23, 2023

Bill Status
Introduced
Passed First Committee
Passed First Chamber
Passed Both Committees
Passed Both Chambers
Signed
Enacted
More Info
Read the Bill: TX SB 2021
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All bills about Age Verification

Texas SB 2164 / HB 3585

Louisiana AVS law copycat.

Requires use of commercial age verification systems on websites that contain "a substantial portion of material that may be harmful to minors."

These bills (HB 3585, HB 3570, and SB 2164) are identical. Would take effect September 1, 2023.

Updates
Legislative description of amendments made on April 12, 2023: 

Whereas the introduced limited the requirement to use age verification to a commercial entity for whom more than one-third of the material they publish or distribute on a website is sexual material harmful to minors, the substitute makes the requirement applicable to any commercial entity that knowingly and intentionally publishes or distributes sexual material harmful to minors on a website, regardless of the amount of such material published or distributed.

The substitute includes a provision absent from the introduced establishing a 45-day grace period for a social media platform to remove or restrict through age verification harmful sexual material before that platform is liable to the parent or guardian of a minor for damages resulting from the minor's access to that material.

Learn more about pending AVS legislation with FSC's Age Verification Bill Tracker

Latest Action: Failed to pass before the end of the legislative session on May 29, 2023
Deadline: May 29, 2023

Bill Status

Introduced

Passed First Committee

Passed First Chamber

Passed Both Committees

Passed Both Chambers

Signed

Enacted

More Info

Read the Bill: TX SB 2164 TX HB 3585
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All bills about Age Verification

Texas HB 1181

Mirrors Louisiana's law with additional (blatantly unconstitutional) requirements to publish the following false information on the website's "landing page" and all advertisements "in 14-point font or larger":

TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WARNING: Pornography is potentially biologically addictive, is proven to harm human brain development, desensitizes brain reward circuits, increases conditioned responses, and weakens brain function.

TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WARNING: Exposure to this content is associated with low self-esteem and body image, eating disorders, impaired brain development, and other emotional and mental illnesses.

TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WARNING: Pornography increases the demand for prostitution, child exploitation, and child pornography.

It also requires the following to be displayed in the footer of every adult website "in 14-point font or larger":

U.S. SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION HELPLINE:
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
THIS HELPLINE IS A FREE, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION SERVICE (IN ENGLISH OR SPANISH) OPEN 24 HOURS PER DAY, FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILY MEMBERS FACING MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS. THE SERVICE PROVIDES REFERRAL TO LOCAL TREATMENT FACILITIES, SUPPORT GROUPS, AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.

Takes effect on September 1, 2023.

Latest Action: Signed by the Governor on June 12, 2023
Deadline: May 29, 2023

Bill Status

Introduced

Passed First Committee

Passed First Chamber

Passed Both Committees

Passed Both Chambers

Signed

Enacted

More Info

Read the Bill: TX HB 1181
See all bills from Texas

All bills about Age Verification