United States of America: Implemented Bill relating to restricting access to sexual material harmful to minors on an Internet website (HB 1181)

On 1 September 2023, the Bill relating to restricting access to sexual material harmful to minors on an Internet website (HB 1181) entered into force. The Bill aims to restrict access to sexual material harmful to minors on internet websites and introduces a new chapter, 129B, in the Civil Practice and Remedies Code of Texas. The chapter includes definitions of key terms and establishes liability for commercial entities that publish or distribute material containing harmful sexual content to minors. The Bill requires these entities to use reasonable age verification methods to ensure individuals accessing the material are 18 years or older. It also addresses the retention of identifying information, liability to parents or guardians, and the applicability of the chapter to news-gathering organizations and internet service providers.