Ohio’s proposed House Bill (HB) 295, known as the “Innocence Act,” has stirred significant debate regarding civil liberties and the regulation of online adult content. Corey D. Silverstein, a prominent adult industry attorney and the force behind MyAdultAttorney.com and Adult.Law, recently voiced his concerns to clevescene.com, highlighting the bill’s potential constitutional violations.

HB 295 aims to enforce age verification for accessing adult content online in Ohio, drawing parallels to similar measures in other US states. However, it distinguishes itself with notably harsher penalties for non-compliance. Under this bill, companies and webmasters who fail to implement “reasonable” age verification methods could face third-degree felony charges, marking a significant escalation from existing regulations in the United States.

Silverstein expressed grave concerns about the implications of HB 295. He points out that this legislation not only overlooks practical common sense but also potentially infringes upon constitutional rights. “HB 295 is another example of a dangerous trend where politicians are seemingly ignoring commonsense – and the Constitution – at the same time,” Silverstein stated.

Additionally, the bill proposes a misdemeanor charge for users, particularly minors, who circumvent age verification (e.g., using a VPN). Silverstein warns that criminalizing minors for accessing adult content could have far-reaching and detrimental effects on their futures. “I can’t think of a worse idea than charging minors with criminal offenses for viewing adult content and potentially ruining their futures,” he remarked, questioning the thoughtful consideration behind the bill.

Silverstein argues that introducing criminal penalties for failing to verify a user’s age represents a significant violation of the First Amendment. He emphasizes that the impact of such a law would extend beyond just minors, affecting the general populace’s right to access information.

Corey D. Silverstein is the managing and founding member of Silverstein Legal, specializing in representing various areas of the adult industry. He is also the founder of Adult.Law, a subscription service catering to legal matters in the adult sector.

For a more in-depth analysis of the proposed Porn Age Verification Bill in Ohio and its civil liberties implications, Silverstein’s interview can be read on clevescene.com.

HB 295 presents a complex challenge, balancing the regulation of adult content online with the preservation of civil liberties. Silverstein’s insights offer a crucial perspective on the potential legal and ethical pitfalls of this legislative proposal.

Join Silverstein on Twitter (X) at @myadultattorney.