South Dakota SB18: Require age verification by websites containing material that is harmful to minors, and to provide a penalty therefor.

What the bill says

An Act to require age verification by websites containing material that is harmful to minors, and to provide a penalty therefor.

From the introduced text:

An Act to require age verification by websites containing material that is harmful to minors, and to provide a penalty therefor. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota: Section 1. That § 22-24-27 be AMENDED: 22-24-27. Terms used in §§ 22-24-25 to 22-24-37, inclusive, [ADDED: and sections 2 to ] [ADDED: 5] [ADDED: , inclusive, of this Act,] mean: (1) "Contemporary community standard," the contemporary community standard of the state in which the question of obscenity is to be tested, by the average person, of the state; [ADDED: (] [ADDED: 2] [ADDED: ) "Covered platform," a website] [ADDED: that,] [ADDED: in the regular course of] [ADDED: the website's] [ADDED: trade or business] [ADDED: , creates, hosts, or makes available content, of which a substantial portion is] [ADDED: material] [ADDED: that is] [] [DELETED: (2)] [ADDED: (] [ADDED: 3] [ADDED: )] "Distributed," to transfer possession of, whether with or without consideration; [DELETED: (3)] [ADDED: (] [ADDED: 4] [ADDED: )] "Exhibit," to show or display; [DELETED: (4)] [ADDED: (] [ADDED: 5] [ADDED: )] "Harmful to minors," includes in its meaning the quality of any material or of any performance or of any description or representation, in whatever form, of nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or sado-masochistic abuse, if it: (a) Predominantly appeals to the prurient, shameful, or …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Steve Kolbeck (R, SD-002) · primary sponsor
• Mike Weisgram (R, HD-024) · primary sponsor
• Amber Arlint (R, HD-012)
• Steve Duffy (R, HD-032)
• Helene Duhamel (R, SD-032)
• Eric Emery (D, HD-026)
• Red Foster (D, SD-027)
• Chris Karr (R, SD-011)
• Liz Larson (D, SD-010)
• Jim Mehlhaff (R, SD-024)
• Bethany Soye (R, HD-009)
• Tony Venhuizen (R, HD-013)

Votes

• Tabled (February 18, 2025): 5 yea, 2 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB18?

SB18 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Require age verification by websites containing material that is harmful to minors, and to provide a penalty therefor.

What does SB18 do?

In its own words: An Act to require age verification by websites containing material that is harmful to minors, and to provide a penalty therefor.

What is the status of SB18?

Introduced as of January 14, 2025.

Who sponsored SB18?

Steve Kolbeck (R, SD-002), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB18?

On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/25480