HB4412 is a bill in the West Virginia Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Require certain websites to utilize age verification methods to prevent minors from accessing content.

What is the status of HB4412?

Signed into law as of April 1, 2026. Latest action: Chapter 70, Acts, Regular Session, 2026 (August 13, 2026).

Who sponsored HB4412?

Chiarelli, Geno (R, 078), with 3 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB4412?

On the West Virginia Legislature website: https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4412&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill

West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session

West Virginia HB4412: Require certain websites to utilize age verification methods to prevent minors from accessing content

Q: What does HB4412 do?

In its own words: An act to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new chapter, designated §49A-1-101, §49A-1-102, §49A-1-103, §49A-1-104, §49A-1-105, and §49A-1-106, relating to creating liability for publishers and distributors of sexual material harmful to minors; defining terms; specifying methods of reasonable age verification; providing exceptions to applicability of this article; requiring a commercial entity that provides materials defined as being harmful to minors as a substantial portion of the entity's content to verify the age of individuals accessing the material; establish.

Status: Signed into law, April 1, 2026

What the bill says

An act to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new chapter, designated §49A-1-101, §49A-1-102, §49A-1-103, §49A-1-104, §49A-1-105, and §49A-1-106, relating to creating liability for publishers and distributors of sexual material harmful to minors; defining terms; specifying methods of reasonable age verification; providing exceptions to applicability of this article; requiring a commercial entity that provides materials defined as being harmful to minors as a substantial portion of the entity's content to verify the age of individuals accessing the material; establish.

From the enrolled text, March 14, 2026:

AN ACT to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new chapter, designated §49A-1-101, §49A-1-102, §49A-1-103, §49A-1-104, §49A-1-105, and §49A-1-106, relating to creating liability for publishers and distributors of sexual material harmful to minors; defining terms; specifying methods of reasonable age verification; providing exceptions to applicability of this article; requiring a commercial entity that provides materials defined as being harmful to minors as a substantial portion of the entity's content to verify the age of individuals accessing the material; establishing liability and a cause of action; for the retention of data; providing nominal damages for publishing child pornography; imposing liability for publishers and distributors of material harmful to minors who fail to comply with verification requirements; imposing liability for publishers and distributors of material that is obscene or child pornography; and providing that an internet service provider or hosting entity is not liable for hosting or transmitting material harmful to minors to the extent that it is not the creator of the material; providing a five year statute of limitations to these civil actions; permitting civil actions by the Attorney General; providing for civil penalties; providing factors to be considered when imposing civil penalties; creating a five year statute of limitations for civil actions brought by Attorney General; granting rule-making authority for the Office of …

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West Virginia HB4412: Require certain websites to utilize age verification methods to prevent minors from accessing content

What the bill says

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